Villagers fight offenders scheme

People in a west Devon village have raised £45,000 to try to prevent a young offenders' unit being opened in their parish.

They plan to make a rival bid to buy a residential home in Highampton that has been earmarked for the unit.

The Save Our Village Action Group says other organisations are coming forward to support the campaign.

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County farms set for all-clear

North Somerset is due to be declared foot-and-mouth free on Tuesday.

The area's agricultural and tourist trades have suffered major financial losses since the outbreak.

On farms where animals had to be slaughtered some restrictions will remain in place but the tough rules governing moving livestock should soon be lifted.

Large dairy farms will also be able to sell cattle, helping other farms in the region to restock.

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Flood prevention measures begin

Work to combat the risk of flooding around rivers in Somerset begins on Monday.

Recently, thousands of tons of sand and shingle have been washed down from Exmoor, clogging up many rivers.

It is feared rivers in the county will overflow unless they are cleared before winter.

Dredging work is being carried out by the Environment Agency, which hopes to spare many households and farmers from flood misery.

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Opposition to Roman development

People living on a Swindon housing estate have raised objections to plans to develop a site of archaeological importance.

Leading archaeologists are meeting this week to discuss the future of a Roman water temple on the Northern Expansion.

One suggestion is the site could be turned into a major historical attraction.

But local residents claim a large scale project would result in extra noise and traffic.

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Development threat to wildlife

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is concerned that areas of natural habitat are threatened by developers.

Its conservation manager says 30,000 hectares of important wildlife habitat is being damaged or destroyed, and extra funds are needed to prevent further losses.

The trust wants to monitor the number of development proposals threatening the sites.

It says only a small proportion of land in the county is protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, leaving 350 county wildlife sites at risk.

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Pig farmer turns to painting

A pig farmer who gave up his business during the foot-and-mouth crisis is making a living as an artist.

John Hurford, 53, of Chulmleigh, Devon, converted part of his home into a studio.

He sold half of the portraits on show at his first exhibition this month.

Mr Hurford's animals did not catch the disease but the restriction movements in the county meant he could not do any business.