Sleeping away from the family home is linked to health risks for badgers, new research by the University of Exeter and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) has revealed.
Scientists found that badgers which strayed away from the family burrow in favour of sleeping in outlying dens were more likely to carry TB.
The 12-month study of 40 wild badgers was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and could have implications for the management of bovine TB in parts of the UK.
The behaviour of individual animals is thought to be a...
Ashfords LLP's multi award-winning conveyancing team has gained further recognition for the quality of its service at the 2012 Equity Release Awards, which took place at the end of last month (note: 27 November) at Merchants Taylors’ Hall in London.
The firm’s Equity Release team, led by Partner Peter Barton, was the overall winner in the National Equity Release Conveyancing category, beating Equilaw and Goldsmith Williams to win the award, which was voted on by participating advisors and providers.
Peter Barton, Partner and Head of the Equity Release practice at Ashfords,...
Archaeologists carrying out investigations in advance of the construction of the South Devon Link Road, near Kingskerswell, Devon, have uncovered the remains of a 2000 year old Roman settlement and a stone-constructed 800 year old medieval building.
The Roman settlement appears to have comprised a large rectangular ditched enclosure, which appears to have been modified three times, probably as a result of ever-increasing wealth and the construction of more elaborate buildings inside the enclosure.
While no evidence for a building survives due to subsequent quarrying, some...
Devon County Council is warning motorists to take care when travelling today as the county continues to experience the effects of persistent rain.
All main routes remain open this morning - flooding has been reported on B3180 in both directions in Woodbury at the B3179 junction - but there is an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding as well as the potential for fallen trees and landslips.
Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, says:
"It is really important that we are all alert to the potential of...
Devon and Cornwall Police are warning members of the public not to put themselves in danger and to keep away from flood relief, rivers, and streams as poor weather is predicted.
The advice comes after a man was pulled from a flood relief channel by a police officer and a member of the public in Exeter at around 3.00 a.m. on Saturday 15 December 2012. Fortunately, the channel was fairly empty with water only a couple of feet deep but the walls were 10 to 12 feet high making escape almost impossible.
The man was then taken to hospital by ambulance suffering with the effects...
More than 4,700 people in Devon are set to spend their second successive Christmas on the dole, according to TUC research published today (Thursday, 20th Dec).
The TUC analysis of official unemployment figures shows that the number of people on Jobseekers’ Allowance for more than 12 months is 1,005 in Torbay, 1,685 in Plymouth and 2,040 in the rest of Devon, rising to 20,305 across the whole South West.
Nigel Costley, regional secretary of the South West TUC, said: “While the recent fall in unemployment has brought some seasonal cheer, the number of people spending their...
Property businesses in the South West are maintaining a bullish approach towards investment opportunities, with a quarter (25 per cent) intending to increase their financial investments over the next three to six months, according to a recent survey by Lloyds TSB Commercial.
Whilst an intention to invest is positive news in an otherwise flat property market, overall the latest ‘Property Matters’ report found that small to medium sized property businesses in the South West are continuing to face challenges across the sector, including a lack of confidence around issues such as local...
As the people of Exeter gather to speak directly to staff from local authorities and agencies such as the Environment Agency and Devon County Council to raise any concerns they may have with regards to flooding (4.30-7pm on 18th Dec), Devon is due yet another amber warning from the Met Office.
From approximately 6pm on Wed 19th December until 3pm on Thursday 20th Dec, the Met Office has forecast periods of heavy rain will affect Cornwall and much of Devon, including Exeter. This additional rainfall, possibly as much as 70-75mm, following the rain due earlier on Wednesday, means...
Update: Police enquires have established that Robin Prescott got off a train at Liskeard at around 9.50am on Thursday 13th December.
Police are appealing to the public to inform them if they have seen the missing man in Cornwall, to contact them on 101 quoting police reference 0758 131212.
Police searching for missing Tiverton man Robin Prescott have released CCTV footage in the hope that someone may have seen him.
The footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-0dkZ6kHDA shows Mr Prescott at work the day before he disappeared and frequenting a betting shop in...
Devon County Council has welcomed an announcement of extra Government support for Devon’s highway network.
The Department for Transport has today announced a £215 million nationwide investment to renew, repair and extend the life of roads across the country.
Devon will receive a £9.252 million share of this capital funding over the next two years for highway maintenance. The County Council will receive just over £6 million this coming financial year and just over £3.2 million in 2014/15.
The severe weather in July left Devon with a clean-up and repair bill which...
