West Country (E) Technology

A new fuel efficient version of the A320 Airbus took off for the first time today at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The aircraft features an all new wing which was designed at Filton in South Gloucestershire.

The project brought together around 200 experts responsible for design and development of the wings which have undergone extensive redesign to accommodate the new engines.

The A320neo incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets (large wing tip devices) plus numerous other innovations across the aircraft including an all-new wing. The A320neo will deliver a 15% fuel burn savings from day one in 2015 and this will increase to 20% by 2020.

Today's takeoff was watched on big screens by employees at Filton who have worked on the design of the wings and integration of the fuel and landing gear systems.

Company video of today's take off:

The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway will receive a national award today because it's an example of exceptional British engineering.

Completed in 1890, the railway is the oldest water-powered funicular railway in the UK.

The award is being presented by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The mayor of Cheltenham has hit out at the cost of policing a demonstration outside GCHQ - saying that with hindsight it was overkill. Up to six police forces were involved, after the movement known as Anonymous claimed thousands of people could turn up. In the end there about 20. Gloucestershire police say that the extra officers were utilised elsewhere in the county, and won't cost the force more money.

A four day protest has begun outside GCHQ in Cheltenham.

The action is taking place against surveillance of the public by UK and foreign Governments by the campaign group Anonymous. Police are asking any residents with access problems to contact them.

A four day protest is expected to begin this morning outside the Government's monitoring centre, GCHQ in Cheltenham.

Police say they may close Hubble Road around the site to deal with the planned protest by the UK Anonymous group. The action is taking place against surveillance of the public by UK and foreign Governments.

Cheltenham Police are asking any residents with access problems to contact them on the day.

One of the country's most important Roman sites is being brought to life, a hundred and fifty years after it was first discovered. Visitors to Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire, are getting the chance to experience it with a planetarium-style projection. The "discovery dome" has been developed by a student from the University of Bath.

John Tredinnick a researcher at the University says visitors will be taken back in time during the tour:

Wiltshire Police says that problems with its 101 non-emergency call system have now been resolved.

The force had to divert all its 999 emergency calls to Gloucestershire Police yesterday morning because of a fault.

Its 101 number for non-emergency calls was also out of use.

All services are now fully restored.