Devon and Cornwall Live: As it happened

1. Four men in balaclavas in armed robbery at jeweller's in Truro
2. ----- Noxious substance used in attack at Michael Spiers Jewellers
3. ----- Handgun found on ground after robbery
4. ----- Eyewitness reports 'quite scary' raid
5. Person 'threatened' in Truro burglary which saw 'thousands of pounds stolen'
6. Company behind five Devon and Cornwall hotels in administration
7. Rail strikes on South Western services
8. Cornwall social housing changes prioritising 'local connections'
9. Patients 'being let down' when released from hospital in Devon
10. Updates on Wednesday 10 January 2018

Our live coverage across the day

Live updates for Devon and Cornwall have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 07:00 on Thursday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

Don't forget Spotlight on BBC One later. There will also be news through the night on your BBC Local Radio station.

Not a case of 'Oh, deer' with the zoo's latest arrival

Newquay Zoo/Miriam Haas

Staff at Newquay Zoo say they have bred the most endangered deer in the world.

The Philippine spotted deer fawn was a "little ray of hope" born on 23 December and had already been out and about in the paddock with the rest of its herd, the zoo said.

The new female arrival was born to mother, Sookie, and father Alfie, and joins brother, Trevor, who is coming up to a year old.

It is classed as endangered because of habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

Newquay Zoo/Miriam Haas

'Wellbeing hubs' set to open in Plymouth

A number of 'wellbeing hubs' are set to open across Plymouth to give residents quicker access to health advice.

The initiative, which it is hoped will help relieve pressure on social care and health services, was set up by Plymouth City Council and North Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.

Plymouth Healthy Living

The hubs will be placed in popular places like libraries, GP surgeries and job centres, and will offer information and support on a range of issues like finance, employment and mental health.

The plans include opening three types of hub depending on the needs of each community, which will be considered by the City Council's Cabinet on 16 January.

Proposed locations for the first phase of hubs include the Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre, Guild House (Mannamead Centre), Four Greens Community Trust (CEDT), Ocean Health Centre (Stirling Road Surgery), Cumberland Centre and the Rees Centre.

Debts of £10m force hotel firm into administration

Debts of more than £10m, including an unpaid VAT bill, have forced the company behind some of the South West's best-known seaside hotels to gone into administration.

Hotels in Exmouth (pictured) and Torquay in Devon; and Falmouth, Fowey and Padstow in Cornwall are affected by the move by operator Richardson Hotels Limited and Fowey Hotel Limited.

Administrators said all five hotels "will continue to trade on a business as usual basis".

Google

Paedophile 'denied jail course to cure him'

A sex offender released from Dartmoor Prison in the last six months says the risk of him re-offending is "extremely high" because, he says, he was unable to get on a rehabilitation course.

His claim comes as a damning report by the Independent Monitoring Board says the jail is not offering the required sex offender treatment programmes to help sex offenders to address their behaviour.

In order to protect his victims his words have been voiced by an actor.

The Prison and Probation Service said protecting the public "is our priority" and all high risk offenders released from Dartmoor were supervised by the probation service.

It said in a statement: "The vast majority are released to approved accommodation and all are seen by seen by their probation officer on the first day of release to reinforce their licence conditions.

"A review of risk management arrangements has taken place and a new senior probation officer is also already in post to oversee the management of higher risk offenders."

Weather: Dry but cold overnight, bright on Thursday

It will be dry for most overnight, but temperatures will fall under clear spells with a frost for many.

Fog patches will also widely form - more especially in the east.

Minimum temperature: 0C (32F).

BBC

On Thursday, fog patches may be slow to lift in eastern parts, otherwise it will stay dry with some bright spells likely. Light variable winds.

Maximum temperature: 7C (45F).

'Shaggy the Shag' collection box returned

Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital

A 3ft-high wooden charity collection box known fondly as "Shaggy The Shag", which went missing in October, has been returned.

Writing on its Facebook page, the Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital said the collection box was found "last week by a neighbour strimming some wasteland cliffside" near the hospital.

It was found in "surprisingly good condition", the hospital said, with "just damage to the money box and a few gouges here and there".

Shaggy would be taking pride of place in the hospital's visitor centre "safely under lock and key" once repairs were made, it added.

HMS Sutherland leaves Plymouth for the Far East

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland has set sail from her base port HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth.

From there she will be deployed to Australia, the Far East and the Persian Gulf region.

HMS Sutherland, affectionately known as the "Fighting Clan", has left the United Kingdom for seven months to conduct operations and exercises.

The ship's departure was witnessed by families who braved the freezing January temperatures to see the ship as she passed through Plymouth Sound.

Commander Andrew Canale, the ship's captain, said: "This is an opportunity for HMS Sutherland to demonstrate the global reach of the Royal Navy as well as the UK's commitment to building relationships and maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

No Cornish Food Festival for 2018

The Cornish Food Festival is not being held this year, organisers say.

Those behind the event held in Truro said they were taking a year out to review the event, and they hoped it would return in 2019.

Since 2004 the festival has taken place annually on Lemon Quay, drawing an estimated 40,000 visitors to the city.

Bude charity 'thrilled to bits' as Gove uses cup

A charity in Bude that promotes cleaner seas says it is "thrilled to bits" the environment minister was pictured carrying the reusable cup it sent him into an important meeting.

The Cleaner Seas Project sent Michael Gove the turquoise cup after seeing him using a non-recyclable one before Christmas.

He was pictured carrying his new cup into 10 Downing Street yesterday, and then had it on the table in front of him for a picture of a cabinet meeting.

Avril Sainsbury, from the group, said: "It's a learning curve for everybody and we thought it would be a lovely gesture to send him a pack for Christmas.

"It's great to see somebody at the top really taking notice".

She continued: "It's come back to grassroots - the groups and organisations on the battle ground, not just in Bude, but nationwide and globally - which is really nice".

View more on twitter

View more on twitter

Woman wrongly told by hospital that her husband was dead

A woman whose husband was in hospital in Devon after undergoing surgery to have a kidney removed was called by the bereavement team after a mix-up with names.

Coastguards advise 'don't follow your dog'

If you're taking your dog to the beach following recent stormy weather and it's washed into the sea, don't go after it, is the advice being given by coastguards across the country.

In a tweet which has been shared by coastguard teams around the country, the Coastguard Team account wrote that attempting to rescue a dog "often leads to the tragedy of the dog rescuing itself only to be left without an owner".

View more on twitter

A few months ago, a woman was swept off her feet attempting to rescue a dog in Brighton.

Meanwhile in Devon, photographer Robin Morrison captured this photo of a man walking in treacherous conditions with his dog in Brixham this week:

Robin Morrison

View more on twitter

Truro jeweller raid: Crime scene guard removed

Police say they have removed a crime scene guard from Truro city centre after an armed robbery at a jeweller.

Men wearing balaclavas carried out the raid at Michael Spiers Jewellers just before 10:00.

Police said a noxious substance was used in the raid and a handgun was found on the ground. A member of the public was believed to have been injured in the incident but his injuries were described as minor.

Insp Rick Milburn, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the city centre was "slowly returning to normal".

He also thanked the witnesses present during the incident, but appealed for any other members of the public who witnessed anything to contact police.

He said: "Even the smallest detail may help and could make a difference to this investigation."

BBC

Ann Widdecombe brands royal bride Meghan Markle 'trouble'

Former Conservative MP minister - and Devon resident - Ann Widdecombe has branded Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle "trouble" while in the Celebrity Big Brother House, saying the actress's background and attitude made her "uneasy".

Hotels in administration 'continuing to trade'

Administrators say five hotels in Devon and Cornwall affected by its operator going into administration are continuing to trade.

Operator Richardson Hotels Limited and Fowey Hotel Limited run:

• The Grand Hotel, Torquay
• The Royal Beacon Hotel, Exmouth
• The Falmouth Hotel, Falmouth (pictured)
• The Fowey Hotel, Fowey
• The Metropole Hotel, Padstow

Google

Administrator Mark Boughey said all five hotels "will continue to trade on a business as usual basis".

He added: "We appreciate that there will be a significant degree of concern and uncertainty for staff, guests and suppliers as a result of the companies entering administration.

"I am pleased to confirm that we will continue to trade all five hotels while we assess how best to proceed and we will endeavour to update all stakeholders as soon as we can."

Knuckle-duster and drill case found in Totnes car search

A knuckle-duster has been found in a car search in Totnes, police say.

It was discovered at about 22:00 on Tuesday when a driver was stopped by police in the Furze Road area of the town.

Officers said they had "cause to search the driver and his car" and a "quantity of pills and other drugs were located".

The weapon was also found along with a green drill case, which the driver could not account for.

The driver's car was seized and he is assisting police with inquiries.

Totnes Police

Rail disruption between Plymouth and Exeter

View more on twitter

View more on twitter

Photographer's van wrecked after photos of 'secret wave'

Vandals have allegedly caused up to £3,000 worth of damage to a Plymouth man's van after he took pictures of 'their secret wave'.

Devon travel: A361 lane closed due to broken-down vehicle

Between Sampford Peverell and Tiverton on the A361, one lane is closed due to a broken-down vehicle and recovery work.

Man, 47, missing from Torquay

A 47-year-old man has gone missing from Torquay, police say.

William Longshawe, also know as Billy, was last seen on 9 January, possibly wearing a rain coat, blue and white checked shirt, green jumper, jeans, and black shoes.

He is described as 5ft 4in (163cm), with blonde/brown short hair, and wears glasses.

Police said they had concerns for his welfare, and anyone with information should call 999.

Devon & Cornwall Police

Trains between Liskeard and Looe 'running normally'

After earlier disruption due to a broken-down train, services are now able to run normally between Liskeard and Looe, National Rail has said.

View more on twitter

View more on twitter

Weather: Dry with sunny spells

It will be dry with sunny spells across the region this afternoon.

It will also feel a little milder than of late in light winds as well as brighter.

Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).

BBC

Power cut closes Plymouth school

A school in Plymouth has sent all its pupils home after a power cut.

Plymstock School will remain closed for the rest of the day.

Western Power Distribution says it hopes all supplies will be restored by this afternoon.

Google

Masked armed gang raids jewellers

Police are looking for four men who were wearing balaclavas in the Wednesday morning raid

Read more

Devon travel: Accident in Exeter

In Exeter on Heavitree Road near Gladstone Road there are reports of an accident.

Cornwall travel: A388 partially blocked due to accident

In Callington, the A388 Saltash Road is partially blocked due to an accident near Southern Road.

Paignton Zoo in bid to produce baby giant tortoises

Paignton Zoo is hoping to become the first wildlife park in the country to produce baby giant tortoises.

The six Aldabra giant tortoises there have had their home refurbished with the latest hi-tech heating and an indoor soaking pool to try to recreate the conditions they're used to in the wild.

They arrived at Paignton Zoo as youngsters after arriving in the UK in an illegal consignment seized by customs officials.

BBC

Luke Harding is Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates and is hoping to make Paignton Zoo "the European leader in the management of this species".

"With this new system, heat penetrates their shells to give them a thorough warming. There are improved thermal gradients, basking spots and better ambient temperatures. We can mimic daylight and our ability to control temperatures means we can simulate the natural seasonality these animals would experience in the wild.

"Half the building is now a dedicated breeding area for our females - it gives them the chance to move away from the males and provides deep sand and soil where they could lay eggs in peace. There's also a back room where we can weigh the animals and do x-rays if necessary."

'Huge rats' spotted roaming around Plymouth McDonald's

Plymothians have reacted with disgust to news of rats running wild in a McDonald's car park.

Flood defences worth £4m installed in Devon

Floodgates and raised car parks are among the flood defences now being installed in Starcross and Cockwood, two Devon areas frequently hit by floods.

The £4m scheme hopes to better protect 600 homes and businesses in the area.

In Starcross, the Environment Agency is installing two new floodgates at Church Road and Generals Lane slipway. They'll also raise the car park levels at the fishing and cruising club.

Environment Agency

In Cockwood, the harbour wall will be improved with a raised level along Dawlish Road, to protect against predicted sea level rises.

Work is expected to take about six months.

Councillor Lisa Mayne said: "Tidal defences are crucial in areas like ours, as highlighted by the recent storms that caused significant damage around the South West coast."

Truro jeweller raid: 'An extremely rare incident'

BBC

Police investigating an armed robbery in Truro by a gang are reassuring people that such a crime was "an extremely rare incident" to happen in the city.

Men wearing balaclavas carried out the raid at Michael Spiers Jewellers before 10:00.

Police said a noxious substance was used in the raid and a handgun was found on the floor.

Insp Rick Milburn, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "We have reports that four to five armed men entered the jewellers. A firearm has been seized at the scene.

"This is an extremely rare incident to happen in Truro and thankfully no one was seriously harmed in the incident."

Searches are under way for the suspects.

Green light for £500k flood defence plan

Two flood defence schemes for Devon have today been given the green light.

Senior Devon county councillors today voted in favour of funding the projects in Ivybridge and Uplyme, where dozens of properties have been repeatedly flooded.

More than £500,000 will be spent on the two schemes which hope to safeguard the properties from further damage.

Armed robbery eyewitness: 'You don't expect it in Truro'

An armed robbery at a jeweller's in Truro was "quite scary" and something "you just don't expect in Truro", an eyewitness says.

Steve Drewett was working in a shop across the road from Michael Spiers Jewellers in Lemon Street when it happened at about 10:00.

Steve said he saw men "wearing balaclavas and hoodies" running out of the shop.

He said: "Members of the pubilc were chasing them but they managed to get away, unfortunately.

"It all happened so quick - they were wearing balaclavas. It was quite scary."

A handgun was found on the floor and a "noxious substance" was used in the attack leaving some staff with minor injuries, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A search is under way for the suspects.

BBC

Truro jeweller raid: Public try to 'thwart' armed robber

Members of the public attempted to "thwart" armed robbers at a jeweller's in Cornwall, police have said.

BBC

Four men in balaclavas raided the Michael Spiers Jewellers in Truro this morning.

A "noxious substance" was used in the attack, leaving staff with minor injuries.

A handgun was later found on the floor.

At the scene, Insp Rick Milburn, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said officers were still "trying to ascertain how much stock was taken".

"We are intervewing witnesses, trawling CCTV and looking for forensic opportunities to try and identify the individuals to apprehend them."

No members of the public were reported to have been injured.

BBC

Truro jeweller raid: Men in balaclavas in armed robbery

Four men wearing balaclavas have carried out an armed robbery at a jeweller's in Truro.

Police said a noxious substance was used in the attack at Michael Spiers Jewellers, which took place shortly before 10:00, and staff were being treated for minor injuries.

A handgun was found on the floor.

A group of schoolchildren were outside the shop at the time of the robbery.

Police said members of the public raised the alarm and moved the schoolchildren away from the scene.

BBC

Suspects search after armed robbery at Truro jeweller

A search is under way after an armed robbery at a jeweller's in Truro city centre.

It happened at about 10:00 at Michael Spiers Jewellers on Lemon Street, police said.

Male suspects were being sought and a search for them was under way, officers added.

Police are still at the scene as officers carry out inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call police, quoting log number 204.

BBC

Breaking'Armed robbery' at Truro jeweller

Part of Truro city centre has been sealed off after reports of an armed robbery at Michael Spiers Jewellers in Truro.

More to follow.

BBC

Discount store B&M closing down in Truro

Discount store B&M is closing down in Truro - just over two years after opening.

Some 85 people work at the site on Garras Wharf beside the city centre, and the company said it would try to get them positions in other branches in Cornwall.

The store is expected to shut within in the next few weeks. It opened in late 2015.

Google

Council to decide on £500k flood defence spend

BBC

Two proposed Devon flood defence schemes costing just over £500,000 may be confirmed later.

Devon County Council is expected to agree funding for the projects in Ivybridge and Uplyme, communities where dozens of properties have been repeatedly flooded.

The report from the head of planning, transportation and environment says that the recommendations have been made due to "the history of flooding in these two communities and the ongoing high risk of future flood events during periods of heavy rainfall."