Devon

Three healthcare teams from the South West scooped prizes at The BMJ Awards 2016 in London on Wednesday night (4 May). The BMJ Awards are the UK’s premier medical awards programme, recognising and celebrating the inspirational work done by doctors and their teams. This year’s awards attracted more than 300 entries across 15 categories, including anaesthesia, cancer care, dermatology, and palliative care. Anaesthetists at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust won Anaesthesia Team of the Year for engaging trainees in meaningful research Dr Gary Minto, consultant anaesthetist and his team set up a...

Police investigating the garden at the former home of a paedophile couple, who knew serial killers Fred and Rose West, have confirmed that nothing of significance has been found and the investigation is now complete.

Excavations began on Tuesday (3 May) in the rear garden of a bungalow in Bradnich, near Cullompton, following historic intelligence linked to the former occupants of the council-owned property, David and Pauline Williams.

Detective Superintendent Keith Perkin from the Public Protection Unit said: “Following intelligence received, Devon and Cornwall Police...

Leading local advice charity, Citizens Advice Exeter is launching a new health impact research project.

The research follows on from the charity’s involvement last year, as part of a group of Citizens Advice charity’s in the County, into a study to better understand the long term outcomes for people who sought their help.

Steve Barriball, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Exeter said: “Findings from the research last year confirmed that our services make a significant difference to people’s situations, resolving their problems and having long-term positive effects on their...

Police are seeking witnesses after a woman was racially abused in Exeter on Bank Holiday Monday night [2 May].

The woman, who was wearing a hijab, was approached by a man while she waited at the bus stop outside Evans store in the High Street around 9.50pm.

He subjected her to verbal abuse using racist language before following her onto the bus using threatening behaviour.

The victim, in her 20s and from Exeter, was left shaken and distressed by the incident.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are seeking the offender who is described as being aged...

A £1 million giant Ferris wheel dubbed the Devon Eye will be one of the stand-out attractions at this year’s Devon County Show at Westpoint, Exeter on May 19-21. The high-tech structure will make its debut at the 121st Show, which is located in the home county of operators Anderton & Rowlands, the country’s oldest travelling fairground company. Simon DeVey, from Anderton & Rowlands, said: “I am a true Devonian and I couldn’t wish to operate this stunning ride for the first time anywhere else but at the Devon County Show,” he said. The huge structure, which stands 33m high and has...

Thousands of young people will set off on the 2016 Ten Tors challenge this weekend, spending two days in small self-sufficient teams walking through some of the most stunning scenery Dartmoor has to offer.

Dartmoor National Park Authority has been working closely with the Army and team managers to ensure that the event has minimum impact on the fabric of the moor and its wildlife.

National Park Rangers and Voluntary Wardens will be on hand throughout the weekend to monitor and provide support.

Peter Harper, Chairman Dartmoor National Park Authority and Ten Tors Team...

Eight men were jailed on Wednesday 4 May for a total of 34 years for defrauding elderly people out of approximately £1 million.

The gang from London and the South East were convicted at the Old Bailey following a Met Police investigation into the ‘Bank of Terror’ conmen responsible from defrauding victims in Devon and Cornwall and across the country.

A number of the organised crime gang’s 140 victims were from Devon and Cornwall and were identified by Operation Fardel which has been investigating these offences for over 18 months.

The Operation Fardel team were...

Around 3,500 schoolchildren in Devon are to benefit from Bikeability cycle training over the next few months.

Devon County Council has successfully secured £140,000 of funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) to provide the training in the county by August. More than 7,400 children in Devon have taken part in Bikeability over the past year. Since 2009, Devon County Council has successfully bid for more than £1.7 million to deliver cycle training in Devon. Schoolchildren who take part are given real cycling experience and skills to equip them to confidently deal with traffic...

Exeter Pride returns for its 8th year on Saturday, May 7 and it will be the county's biggest and brightest celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other communities (LGBTQ+).

It is one of the most highly regarded Pride events of its kind in the South West and is being endorsed by key individuals and organisations.

Shaun Sawyer, the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Devon and Cornwall Police is proud to support Exeter Pride.

"Supporting our LGBT communities is one of our core priorities. We want all people visiting our Force...