Divers fund ambulance for dolphins

Divers in Devon are raising money to buy an ambulance for stranded dolphins and other marine mammals.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue Group in Exmouth has raised £1,300 of the £6,000 needed.

The vehicle would carry first aid kits and an inflatable pontoon for beached dolphins and whales - which can crush their internal organs under their own weight when they are out of the water.

More than £800 has been donated by a diving shop and in memory of a rescue group member who died suddenly.

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Plymouth is awful, says magazine

Post-war redevelopment in Plymouth has been unfavourably mentioned in Tatler magazine.

The February issue of the upmarket publication features the charms of Devon and its aristocratic and famous residents.

But it says Plymouth's rebuilt area "is so awful it makes Stevenage look radiant".

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City holds first referendum

Ballot papers are being sent to nearly 200,000 people in Plymouth as part of the city's first-ever referendum.

Residents will have about two weeks to say whether they think the city should have a paid full-time mayor.

Voters have until 24 January to return ballot papers.

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Drug research brings 50 jobs

A hi-tech company at Bude in north Cornwall is to create 50 jobs.

Tripos Receptor Research already employs 80 people doing advanced development work for drugs companies.

The news follows a deal between the plant's American parent company and the global drugs giant Pfizer.

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Visitors criticise 'under-funded' jail

Guy's Marsh Prison in north Dorset has failed to meet government standards on re-offending, says its own board of visitors.

The board's annual report blames a shortage of staff and shortage of money for poor facilities.

It says the prison, near Sherborne, has failed to provide "purposeful activities" to prevent re-offending.

The report also expresses concern over medical care, after a local GP's practice withdrew its services.

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Keepers play mum to jaguars

Two Jaguar cubs are being brought up by staff at Dartmoor Wildlife Park after being rejected by their mother.

Muppet and Ladybird were born eight weeks ago at the zoo, near Sparkwell.

Big cats often reject their first litter, said a park spokesman.

The male was named Muppet because its forehead markings included the shape of a letter M, and staff said it looked like a glove puppet at birth.