Devon & Cornwall Live: As it happened

Quote Message: Our vision is to support more and more people to remain at home, or return quicker if they do need a hospital stay, and to do this we need to focus more of our resource on community services." from Liz Davenport Chief Operating Officer for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Our vision is to support more and more people to remain at home, or return quicker if they do need a hospital stay, and to do this we need to focus more of our resource on community services."

Ms Davenport says planning the bed closures is part of a move to invest in community services to support people at home rather than with bed-based care.

She said: "We have taken big steps towards achieving this with our £3.9m investment including in enhanced intermediate care and the voluntary sector through the appointment of Wellbeing Co-ordinators.

"These services are now up and running and successfully supporting people to be at home.

"So we now believe that the time is right to plan to reduce acute beds by 32. No decisions have been made and ensuring the best possible care for local people is always our highest priority."

The Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll has left Devonport, Plymouth, after a 20-month refit.

The vessel has been fitted with new sensors and equipment including the new Sea Ceptor air-defence missile system.

Mike Whalley, Babcock's warship director, said: "This has been the most complex Type 23 upkeep ever undertaken in Devonport - and the first UK warship class to have its missile system changed mid-life since the 1970s."

MoD/Crown copyright 2014Copyright: MoD/Crown copyright 2014

Quote Message: It is always extremely challenging to re-generate our ships following their routine periodical refits. They are complicated machines and the vast array of equipments need close attention when we turn them on again after such a long period in dry dock. We look forward to rejoining the fleet and contributing to its global operations once again." from Commander Toby Shaughnessy Captain of HMS Argyll

It is always extremely challenging to re-generate our ships following their routine periodical refits. They are complicated machines and the vast array of equipments need close attention when we turn them on again after such a long period in dry dock. We look forward to rejoining the fleet and contributing to its global operations once again."

HMS Argyll will undertake safety drills at sea before post-refit sea trials, before returning to operations alongside the other Devonport-based ships.

A mental health patient escaped from hospital after using a chair to climb over a wall - and has been missing since.

The showers will gradually ease through the evening, with a just a few continuing overnight.

Partly cloudy skies will allow for clear spells, with a risk of some icy stretches forming, as well as some mist and fog patches in prone spots with a minimum temperature of 2C (36F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

After a chilly and frosty start, tomorrow will stay mostly dry through the day with some sunny spells, although the odd shower can't be ruled out. Maximum temperature 9C (48F).

A video recording showing a Royal Marine shooting an injured Afghan insurgent has been played to senior judges who are deciding if his murder conviction can stand. 

The clip was played in a packed London courtroom at the start of an appeal by Sgt Alexander Blackman, 42, from Taunton in Somerset.

His lawyers have called evidence that at the time of the 2011 incident in Helmand Province, when serving with Plymouth-based 42 Commando, he was suffering from a mental illness. 

Richard Whittam QC, for the Crown, said it was important to understand that the appeal was confined to the question of diminished responsibility.

Even if there was evidence to show that a mental condition must have caused or been a significant contributing factor in the killing, the court would have to consider the video evidence.

A St Columb man has been forced to spend his life savings on moving out of his property after a housing association refused to relocate him despite doctors warning that staying there could kill him.

An MP calls for new measures to prevent scavenging seagulls from causing chaos in seaside towns.

Conservative MP Oliver Colvile led a debate in Parliament on the problem, admitting he was prompted by a friend who had his chips stolen by a gull.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The tables were turned on Monday when a paparazzo from Paignton starred in a Channel Four documentary and shared some colourful anecdotes about chasing celebrities to snatch photographs for the press.

Drugs and violence in jail are "long-standing" issues that will not be resolved quickly, HM Prison Service has admitted.

A recent unannounced inspection of HMP Channings Wood in Devon revealed a "marked decline" in standards, with a rise in violence and drug use and one in six inmates saying they felt "unsafe".

In his report, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke also cited "significant gaps" in the jail's senior leadership.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The prison service said it was clear that the violence, self-harm and deaths in its prisons were too high.

"We have taken immediate action to stabilise the estate by tackling the drugs, drones and phones that undermine security," it said in a statement.

"These are long-standing issues that will not be resolved in weeks or months but our wholescale reforms will lay the groundwork to transform our prisons, reduce reoffending and make our communities safer."

In addition, it said the service was investing £100m annually to boost the frontline by 2,500 officers.

A brave dog walker is warning others to be alert after he fought off a would-be mugger on Plymouth Hoe.

More than 1,000 homes could be built on the site of the former Plymouth Airport, if plans by leaseholder Sutton Harbour Holdings are approved.

The airport, which closed in December 2011, has been protected by Plymouth City Council for future aviation use until 2021.

Sutton Harbour Holdings says its Plym Vale development plans for 1,500 homes, could create 350 constructions jobs for the next 10 years.

After a dry and bright start to the day, showers will start to push in from the west later, with some heavy bursts and possibly some hail and thunder too.

Maximum temperature 9C (48F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

Showers gradually easing through the evening, with a just a few continuing overnight.

Partly cloudy skies will allow for clear spells, with a risk of some icy stretches forming, as well as some mist and fog patches with a minimum temperature of 2C (36F).

A Royal Marine who killed an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan in 2011, was "very reserved" and a "John Wayne character", a court martial appeal court has heard.

Alexander Blackman, 42, was sentenced to life and dismissed with disgrace from the Royal Marines following a court martial in 2013.

BBCCopyright: BBC

His case was referred to the court martial appeal court by the independent body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice. 

The Criminal Cases Review Commission concluded that a number of new issues, including fresh evidence relating to Blackman's mental state raised a "real possibility" that the appeal court could "quash Blackman's murder conviction". 

Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver is recommending a council tax rise of four per cent for the resort.

• There are reports of an accident on Pottington Road in Barnstaple near Rolle Street   
• In Cornwall at Sladesbridge, the A389 is partially blocked by an accident between Egloshayle Road and the B3266
• One lane of the A30 is closed at Sourton Cross Cornwall-bound for barrier repairs 
• Slow traffic in Plymouth on A386 Outland Road near Ham Drive and Weston Park Road due to roadworks

• A Royal Marine dealt with a "ruthless and cunning" Afghan enemy, an appeal court hears
• HMP Channings Wood is a jail "in decline" with too much violence and drugs, a report says
• A health trust is to close 32 acute beds at Torbay Hospital
• Sutton Harbour Holdings wants to build 1,500 homes on the former Plymouth Airport site
• Plymouth MP Oliver Colvile wants to curb the "menace" of seagulls in coastal towns and cities
• Police are searching for a man who left a mental health unit "without prior consent" four days ago