Exeter

If you’re looking for a constructive and fun way to burn off a few Christmas calories, then the East Devon District Council Countryside team may well have the answer.

You are invited to join the team at Knapp Copse Local Nature Reserve (on the Seaton road, less than a mile from the Hare and Hounds pub) on Saturday 25 January between 10am and 3pm to help create a new footpath.

No previous experience is necessary; all you need is a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Tasks will include scrub and tree clearance and the end result will be a circular route around this...

A Newton Abbot man has been sentenced following guilty pleas to selling illicit tobacco from his home, after an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards service.

65 year old Mr Roger Gerrey of 3 Lemon Place, Newton Abbot was charged with offences relating to selling and having available to supply, tobacco which did not have the legally required health warnings or the appropriate duty paid markings.

He was also charged with failing to display the correct age warning statement.

The court also heard that some of the tobacco sold by Mr Gerrey was...

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg has praised officers and staff for their commitment to community safety during the recent storms.

“The recent spell of terrible weather put incredible pressure on front line policing,” said Mr Hogg

“Many officers and staff put themselves into perilous situations, often under the onslaught of horrendous conditions, to help members of the public and communities who were in trouble. Not only that, in many circumstances, the police force coordinated the multi-agency response to the crisis and I would also like to thank...

Devon and Cornwall police have hailed a three-week operation aimed at reducing the danger from rouge hauliers as a great success.

Operation Fatigue ran over a three-week period across November and December 2013 and involved the stopping and checking of goods vehicles as they travelled through both Devon and Cornwall.

As part of the operation, a team of specialist Police officers trained in drivers’ hours and tachograph legislation and analysis took part alongside other colleagues trained in legislation regarding the transportation of hazardous materials.

Operation...

More large retailers have confirmed that their Christmas profits were below expectations.

Supermarket chain Morrisons have joined retailers Debenhams in issuing a profit warning to the stock market while both Tescos and Marks & Spencer have both said they had disappointing Christmas trading.

Morrisons, which may be opening a new Exeter store near the Police Headquarters in Middlemoor, revealed today (9 January) that its full-year profits were well below market expectations.

The supermarket chain was expected to achieve profits of £812m but will instead be closer...