Exeter

Productivity could grow faster in the countryside than urban areas over the next decade, with a rise in rural jobs, thanks to a high-tech boost from speedier broadband and better transport links, a new analysis has shown.

Increased connectivity, spread of innovation, growth in knowledge-based industries and changes in working patterns are expected to help rural areas catch up with urban areas over the next decade, contributing to the government’s long-term economic plan.

This is expected to deliver higher wages and output of rural areas could potentially increase by around...

The Fire Service was called to a collision involving five vehicles on the M5 near Exeter shortly after 1pm yesterday (December 27).

One fire appliance from Cullompton, one fire appliance from Danes Castle and a further fire appliance and heavy rescue vehicle from Middlemoor were mobilised to this incident.

On arrival crews confirmed the collision involving five vehicles in lanes two and three of the motorway between junction 28 Cullompton and junction 27 Sampford.

One elderly woman was trapped in a vehicle.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “Crews got...

Rail union RMT has pledged an all-out fight over rail investment in the South West after the Transport Secretary cast doubt on the scale of investment in the Plymouth region’s railways by admitting that just £40million has been promised – despite calls for a £7 billion package. RMT has branded the move a “complete and utter betrayal of the South West despite all the posturing and promises after the resilience of rail services was exposed in last year’s floods and storms.”

A spokesman added: "The line into Plymouth continues to be beset by delays and cancellations as the failing...

Broadclyst’s new £9,000 outdoor gym is ready to use! East Devon District Council has been working hard with Broadclyst Parish Council to provide residents with the free-to-use outdoor gym that they wanted.

Having an outdoor gym in Broadclyst was proposed and chosen by the local community. Earlier this year Broadclyst Parish Council and EDDC asked community groups and others to put forward their ideas as to how £11,800 of sports funding accumulated from recent local housing developments (Section 106 money) should be spent.

These ideas were then taken out to residents and...

Police are reminding the public to be vigilant about telephone scams and to follow some simple advice to prevent them from becoming a victim of this crime in the lead up to Christmas.

Detectives at Liskeard are investigating two recent reports of fraud from Saltash and Torpoint. On both occasions the callers have claimed to be from high street banks and have conned people into transferring money to them. This scam has applied to both individuals and businesses.

The scammers tell the victims their bank cards have been stolen or cloned and used fraudulently, they are then...

One of the penguins at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery stars in a new online video for Christmas.

Laurie, the lonely Little Blue penguin plays the central character in RAMM’s online Christmas greeting when he explores the Museum …but will he manage to find that special penguin to share his life with?

The Little Blue Penguin – sometimes known as the Fairy Penguin – is the smallest penguin species and originates in New Zealand. In the video, Laurie starts his museum quest with some prehistory, has a chat with one of the museum staff, finds his way to...

Where is Cornwall on the map of Britain? It may be down in the bottom corner if you’re talking road maps or OS sheets, but that’s not the only way of thinking about the position of the county, according to a new book by a University of Exeter academic. Britannia Obscura: Mapping Hidden Britain explores alternative ways of thinking about the shape of Britain. Where are its main highways if you’re a pilot, or a canal enthusiast, or a dowser in search of ley-lines? Where’s the centre of Britain if you’re a caver? Or one of Britain’s megalith hunters, in search of prehistoric stone rows and...