Volunteers at two zoos on the English Riviera have wrapped a tree in coloured wool and decorated it with scores of knitted sea creatures.
The tree, at Living Coasts in Torquay, was swathed in knitting and crochet-work along its trunk and branches and hung with hand-made animals including penguins, Inca terns, whales, dolphins, sharks, octopus and fish.
The 10 year old rowan tree stands on Penguin Beach and was duly inspected by the Zoo’s resident African and macaroni penguins.
Neil Thomas-Childs, Volunteer Co-ordinator for Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts, said: “A...
The 46-year-old skipper whose body was recovered after a major search when his boat failed to return to port on Monday 28th January, has been named as Andrew Westaway.
The body of Mr Westaway - who was known as Andy - was recovered by the Exmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat shortly after midnight.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating and an inquest into Mr Westaway's death will be opened at Torquay Coroner's Office on Monday. It is thought that he was swept from his boat, the JCK, after it was swamped in stormy conditions.
A man, as yet unnamed, has died after falling into the sea near the pier by Torquay's Princess Theatre in stormy conditions yesterday evening (29th January).
An attempt to save the man was made by a member of Torbay lifeboat crew, who went into the water attached to a rope and pulled the man ashore. Despite resuscitation attempts, the man died.
RNLI spokesman Colin Bower said weather conditions were extremely poor with heavy seas whipped up by winds gusting to about 60 knots (70mph).
The business heavyweights at Francis Clark were joined by another type of heavyweight when a life-sized model gorilla turned up at the accountancy firm’s Torquay offices.
The startling sight of managing partner Les Burnett and Head of Tax Steve Collins with the unique piece of three-dimensional public art can be explained by Francis Clark becoming Gold Sponsors of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorilla Project.
The project is celebrating the 90th birthday of the region’s largest and best-known zoo, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, which is a registered charity. It is also raising...
Police are appealing to the public to help them identify a man who detectives would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a purse, belonging to an elderly lady.
It is understood that the victim, who is from the Teigmouth area, lost her purse on Thursday 6th December.
Police believe the man pictured in the CCTV may have some information that could help their enquiry.
Cash withdrawals and transactions were carried out using the stolen bank cards in Teignmouth and in Torquay.
If anyone has any information about the identity of the man pictured in the...
Volunteers at a Devon charity clocked up a thousand days of help during 2012.
People who gave their time to Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and Living Coasts in Torquay helped raise over £72,000 and gave more than 24,000 hours - equivalent to 2.75 years, 143 weeks or over 1,000 full days.
For the year ending in October 2012 volunteers gave 24,142 hours - 2,677 more than in 2011. Volunteer Coordinator Neil Thomas-Childs is hugely impressed by these figures:
“It was a terrific year - volunteers have continued to support us in all weathers. By the middle of the season...
The two men arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences in Torquay have been released without charge. However, Police say that a criminal investigation will continue. The men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Thursday following the discovery of a suspect package at a house in Torquay. Police forensics experts had been searching the house in Lymington Road. The area, between Upton Road and Upton Hill, was closed to the public for about five hours on Thursday.
Yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 3rd January) police arrested two men under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act – the preparation of a terrorist act.
The two arrested men were initially detained on suspicion of committing criminal damage, but later rearrested under the Terrorism Act.
Police spent much of yesterday searching an address in Lymington Road, Torquay, which required the evacuation of a small number of neighbouring properties, including a 31-week pregnant woman. The road cordons have now been removed, although police remain at the property.
Police have arrested two men after investigating an incident of criminal damage.
As part of the investigation a property in the Lymington Road area, opposite the Coach Station, was searched when some suspect items were discovered which are potentially dangerous.
As a result a small number of properties were evacuated as a precaution.
Bomb disposal experts are currently at the scene.
The area between Upton Road and Upton Hill remains closed and police are advising the public to avoid the area at this time.
Police were called to Lymington Road in Torquay this morning following reports of a suspicious package in the vicinity of the coach station.
Police have since closed off parts of Lymington Road, Parkfield Road and Forest Road and they will remain closed for the time being. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Officers currently remain at the scene.
Eight properties are said to have been evacuated at this time.
