Devon & Cornwall Live: As it happened

The Bishop of Truro Tim Thornton has paid tribute to pop star-turned-priest Peter Skellen who died from brain cancer this morning.

He said: “Peter had such strength in life and a strong Christian faith. He also had a twinkle in his eye, a question to ask or a slightly different view on life.

“Ordaining Peter last year was an extraordinary privilege.  The number of people who attended and the clear love felt by all for Peter was obvious. Also very clear was Peter’s faith.  

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"Ordaining him was not about rewarding someone or, heaven forfend, patronising someone who was ill. 

"Ordination was the right thing to do, it made sense of Peter’s long-term sense of calling and it felt entirely right and natural 

“Peter was a truly remarkable and creative priest whose faith was strong and whose life has made an impact for good on many, many people.”

A heavily pregnant horse was hit by a car and left in ditch near Bideford last night.

Referee Sara Cox (see 12:45) has been speaking about her historic appointment for Loughborough Students match vs. Plymouth Albion. 

England RugbyCopyright: England Rugby

"I'm very excited actually," Ms Cox told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat.

"I just like the game of rugby to be honest, whether it be female or males that are playing I just enjoy being out there officiating. 

"I don't see myself as any different to my male counterparts who are refereeing at this level."

Peter Skellern's family have paid tribute to "his legacy to love and laughter".

Pop star-turned-priest Rev Skellern, who was born in Lancashire and trained at the Guildhall School of Music, hosted the BBC Two chat show Private Lives and in recent years, turned his attention to choral music, often appearing on Songs of Praise.   

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In a statement, his family said: "Peter's creativity in art, comedy and music stand as his legacy to love and laughter. 

"The love he brought to us will continue to be shared with everyone through his music. We will miss him with all our hearts."

A joint study between the universities of Plymouth and Manchester has found a new antibiotic developed by the University of Plymouth is a "viable alternative" to current treatments.

The article published today in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy said there was "strong evidence" for the success of the new drug, the university said.

The new treatment is called epidermicin, and could be used to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Quote Message: This project has shown effectiveness in a rodent model and makes a compelling case for further study, though it is not yet clear if a single dose of epidermicin will be as effective in humans. We now need to demonstrate that epidermicin is safe in pre-clinical testing and progress towards human trials.” from Dr. Mathew Upton University of Plymouth

This project has shown effectiveness in a rodent model and makes a compelling case for further study, though it is not yet clear if a single dose of epidermicin will be as effective in humans. We now need to demonstrate that epidermicin is safe in pre-clinical testing and progress towards human trials.”

Roy Handford works with his daughter and granddaughter at the Green Lantern café in Torrington, Devon.

He started there a week after retiring at 65 and does at least a 10-hour day every day except Sunday.

Roy puts his long and active life down to not drinking or smoking  

A teenager who had hardly left her home county of Cornwall has become a global sensation after her YouTube video went viral. 

Daisy Clark, 18, from Newquay, received critical acclaim online when she made a cover of the song Hopelessly Devoted to You from the musical Grease. 

The video has received almost six million views on social media.

Daisy ClarkCopyright: Daisy Clark

The young performer almost did not post the video due to "rude comments" that gave her "doubts" about the song. 

Daisy said: "Social media is pretty vicious sometimes. You have to expect that there is always going to be some rude comments" 

"It did give me doubts, especially with Hopelessly Devoted To You. I just didn't let the comments stop me from doing what I love." 

Generally dry, although there could be a little showery rain in the west.

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Often quite cloudy but where the sun does break through, it will feel pleasantly mild.

Maximum Temperature: 12 Deg C (54 Deg F)

The Bishop of Truro has paid tribute to a former pop star whom he ordained as a priest last year.

Peter Skellern, who was born in Lancashire and trained at the Guildhall School of Music, wrote the lyrics to One More Kiss, Dear from the 1982 film Blade Runner. 

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In October The Right Reverend Tim Thornton, Bishop of Truro, ordained him at St Wyllows church in Lanteglos-by-Fowey, Cornwall.

"It really is very, very sad," he said. "Although we knew Peter was ill, the news that he had died came as a shock. 

 "I can only reflect on what a privilege it was to have known Peter, and to have ordained him as a deacon and a priest."

Cornwall's theme park Flambards has announced a major recruitment drive.

The park, due to fully re-open to visitors on 1 April, is midway through its winter programme of development and re-investment.

The park is due to recruit around 80 new members from customer service hosts to catering assistants and ride operators as well as the famous costume character - Ferdi the Fox.

"Ferdi plays a vital role at Flambards and it's crucial we get the right person for the job," said Flambards' Richard Smith.

FlambardsCopyright: Flambards

With fuel bills on the rise, more than 43,000 households in Devon are already living in fuel poverty according to a national charity.

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National Energy Action is calling for more help with increasing energy costs and better quality housing for the vulnerable.

Fuel poverty has been blamed for depression, malnutrition and isolation.

A dog walker had an unexpected find when bags full of the cannabis washed ashore with the tide in South Devon.

A British pop star who was later ordained as a priest has died, his family have informed the BBC. 

Peter Skellern, who lived in Cornwall, scored a major hit in 1972 with the piano ballad 'You're A Lady'.

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Last year, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, he was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. 

He died on Friday morning aged 69, with his family paying tribute to his "legacy of love and laughter".  

The Rugby Football Union is excited to have a female referee taking charge of a National League One match for the first time this weekend.

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Sara Cox will ref the game between Loughborough Students and Plymouth Albion.

Six months ago, many of these mums were just watching their kids play.

Now they're getting ready to play in the FA People's Cup....

It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday. 

Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player. 

Find out all the details here.

The singer, Peter Skellern, who lived in Polruan has died at the age of 69.

He was best known for his 1970s hit, You're A Lady. 

He announced in October he had an inoperable brain tumour. Skellern had been ordained by the Bishop of Truro, The Right Reverend Tim Thornton only four months ago.

Despite his serious illness Bishop Tim had suggested Skellern carried on with his training after his ordination.

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A teenager who had previously only left her home county of Cornwall twice has become a global sensation after her YouTube video went viral.  

Daisy Clark, 18, from Newquay, received critical acclaim online when she made a cover of the song Hopelessly Devoted to You from the musical Grease.  

Daisy ClarkCopyright: Daisy Clark

Daisy said: "It's so exciting that someone like me, from a tiny town miles away from London, can release such an iconic song after being spotted online.

"I hope it will inspire other musicians around the country to keep trying, and not let small town mentality or negativity get them down."

As part of a legal requirement to ensure the safe passage of vessels beneath it, essential maintenance was carried out this morning. It took about two hours to raise and lower the bridge.

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Live basketball coverage continues on the BBC tonight with action from both the men's and women's leagues.

First up at 17:00 GMT, Sevenoaks Suns host Cardiff Met Archers in the WBBL then at 19:30 Surrey Scorchers take on Plymouth Raiders in the BBL Championship.

Watch both games on the BBC Sport website, app and via connected TVs, or catch up afterwards on BBC iPlayer.