West Country (W) Torquay

A police pilot project where doormen at licensed premises in Torquay town and harbour side breathalysed suspected drunks has seen a 39 per cent drop in violent crime

RU2drunk was piloted during December to see if it helped reduce alcohol fuelled incidents at the town's night spots.

The pilot saw over 800 men and women breathalysed when doormen suspected they were drunk - over a third were then refused entry.

Latest research conducted by Smokefree South West shows:

29% of people had stopped encouraging loved ones to quit because they were scared of starting an argument.

84% of parents said they encourage their child to stop as they don't like to see them harm themselves

67% of people, whose parents smoke, try to encourage them to stop because they're scared of losing them early.

Kisrty Vaas from Torquay was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) just over a year a go after one of her lungs collapsed.

She is now constantly short of breath, unable to travel and is supported by her younger daughter.

Kirsty knows this is a result of her smoking habit, but she wants others to learn from her mistakes.

Kirsty has thrown her support behind 'Smokefree South West' which have succeeded in making parts of Bristol smoke free from today.

At the opening there will be a 'take a straw challenge' where people try and breathe through a straw to simulate what it feels like to have a collapsed lung.

It's the same technique Kirsty used to explain her condition to her daughter.

A mother from Torquay has made an impassioned plea for people to stop smoking.

A new campaign by Smoke-free South West is calling on people to consider the impact on their relatives. 33-year-old Kirsty Vass has been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease and emphysema as a result of smoking.

Police are continuing to search for a teenager from Ivybridge who has been missing since last Tuesday.

Ryan Ranson was last seen after he was dropped off at work at Devonport Dockyard. His family say his disappearance is completely out of character.

Officers believe the 17-year-old may be in the Torquay area after his bank card was used at a cash point machine on The Strand on Wednesday afternoon.

Police are urging people to come forward who have any information about Ryan's whereabouts.

A woman has been assaulted while in a soft play area in Torquay.

Police in Devon have released these images of two women they want to speak to after the alleged assaults at The Rainbow Funhouse.

The incidents are believed to have taken place around 1 o'clock back on 22nd November last year.

More details are expected to be announced this morning about the new team being brought in to help run Torquay United off the pitch.

Kelvin Thomas, who used to be Chairman at Oxford United, will be working closely with Gulls Chairman Thea Bristow. She wants the club to be run in a more sustainable way, after subsidising Torquay for the last three years.

A press conference has been called for this morning.

Meet Pat, a record-holding penguin from Living Coasts zoo in Torquay.

She's the oldest-known female African penguin in the country, and today she's celebrating another milestone, as she turns 37. This also makes her the second-oldest penguin in Europe.

Staff at the zoo are celebrating the occasion with a blue birthday cake, but it's unlikely any non-penguins will want to share a slice; it's made out of sprats.

In her 37 years Pat has had nine chicks, and even has three great-grand penguins living with her at Living Coasts. She also has a toy-boy; her partner Eddie is just 13 years old.

War veterans have slammed a Gumtree seller in Devon who is flogging a Tower of London ceramic poppy for £450 - 20 times its original value.

The 888,246 poppies from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red project were sold to members of the public for just £25, with proceeds going to charity.

But one of the buyers, from Torquay has now put their poppy on sale for £450.

War veterans have described the sale as "shocking" and "revolting", with the listing on Gumtree making no reference to any charitable donation.

The seller, who is not named on the site, says: "I appreciate there is a very high demand for these and it may seem inappropriate to set the price so high, but I'm sure in years to come it'll be worth a lot more than whatever was paid on here."

Despite the outcry, Gumtree confirmed the sale was not in breach of its terms and policies.

An injured seal pup has been rescued after being stranded at Torquay Harbour.

The youngster was spotted on the seaward side of Haldon Pier at lunchtime on Monday (29 December). As the animal's mother was not in sight, keepers at Living Coasts rescued the pup with the help of towels and a tarpaulin.

She was taken to the RSPCA centre at West Hatch near Taunton. Staff there identified her as a girl, weighed her and named her. Shubunkin - who at 11 kilos is considered small for a grey seal pup - is now showing signs of eating and, if everything goes smoothly, will be returned to the sea soon.