'Farmers should grow cannabis'

The National Farmers Union in the South West says farmers should grow cannabis if the government decides to legalise the drug.

Currently about 40 acres of land in west Cornwall are being used in an experiment for growing non-narcotic hemp.

The NFU says cannabis, which belongs to the same family as hemp, would grow very quickly in South West soil, and it would also enable farmers to diversify.

A man was jailed this month for his role in setting up the largest cannabis production unit ever found by the National Crime Squad, at a shooting range in Chacewater, Cornwall.

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Work starts on flood defence

Work is due to start this month on a £5m flood relief scheme to protect up to 500 homes in Bideford, north Devon.

Last week residents had a narrow escape when high winds combined with a high tide of nearly seven metres on the River Torridge.

The work - due to be completed by November next year - involves raising the quayside.

It is being planned so that cargo vessels, fishing trawlers and the Lundy island ferry can continue to use the port.

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Pigs for cull blunder farm

Animals have returned to a community farm in Bristol that had its livestock culled in error during a foot-and-mouth scare.

Three pigs called Sunshine, Floppy and Bear have been donated to Lawrence Weston Farm to help in its recovery.

The city farm reopened in the summer with just small animals.

It hopes visitor numbers will begin to increase now it has some larger ones on display.

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Bride wins visa for wedding

A Somerset man's wedding is back on after being delayed when his bride was deported.

Paul Burrows, of Bridgwater, met Jelena Sokolova last December.

But just days before they were due to marry in the summer, she was forced to return home to Estonia.

Now she has been granted a visa to return, and the ceremony is to go ahead as soon as possible.

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Car seizures break Euro treaty, says MEP

The West Euro MP Graham Watson has taken up a fight to retrieve cars impounded by HM Customs.

Mr Watson says scores of people have had their cars wrongly seized at UK ports.

They were taken because they were found to be carrying cigarettes or alcohol in excess of limits set by the government.

But Mr Watson says the stringent levels break a European treaty that allows citizens of every other member state to carry as much as they want.

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Surgery fire delays flu jabs

Patients at a Cornwall surgery that was badly damaged by fire at the weekend have been told they will have to wait for flu vaccinations.

Doctors and nurses at the Trescobeas surgery in Falmouth helped firefighters remove thousands of vital medical records as the building burned.

Arson is suspected.

All routine pre-booked appointments have now been postponed until new arrangements can be made.

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Walkers fight over Charles' footpath

Prince Charles may be drawn into a row about the opening of a path that crosses his land on Dartmoor.

A public inquiry begins this week to decide if the Henroost track near Hexworthy should become a right of way.

Farmers are opposing plans to open the path.

Walkers are expected to ask the Prince for support.

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Clay firm cuts 62 jobs

A Devon clay firm has announced it is to lay off more than 60 staff before the end of the year.

Watts Blake Bearne blames a slowdown in the international china clay market and the strength of the pound.

WBB says it hopes the 62 job losses can be found through early retirement and voluntary redundancies.

The company's sites in north and south Devon, and the china clay operation at Cornwood will all be affected by the cuts.

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Isolation worries lead to transport talk

People living on two Bristol housing estates are calling for improvements to public transport.

Residents in Hartcliffe and Withywood say the areas run the risk of falling into deeper decline.

They are now meeting the city council to have their say.

They are saying that those who do not own cars feel isolated and find it difficult getting to work, to the shops and meeting friends.