Devon News Today

More than 9 million pounds - that's the headline figure of how much the America's Cup event meant to Plymouth's economy. It's estimated 140 thousand visitors came to the city to watch the nine days of races.

Intensive inspections are being carried out on construction sites across Devon aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health. In the last year a total of 43 serious injuries were reported while working in construction, including 13 in Plymouth and 3 in Torbay. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have already started their visits which will last until March 16th.

Plymouth's Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow claimed Great Britain's first ever women's international diving medal after snatching bronze in the platform synchro at the FINA World Cup tonight. The duo looked dead and buried with a dive to go but nailed their back two-and-a-half somersault half twist to jump from eighth to third. It meant a first medal for Britain at this week's meet at the Olympic Aquatics Centre and was a stunning breakthrough for the duo after they agonisingly finished fourth at last July's World Championships.

The number of Devon builders paying local land owners to illegally dispose of their waste is on the rise. That's according to South Hams District Council who tell Heart they won't hesitate to prosecute offenders putting financial gain before the environment. It comes as a building contractor from Paignton has been stung with a 5 thousand pound fine, after dumping tons of waste in a South Hams field.

A cross-channel hunt for the owner of a stray cat proved successful thanks to the detective work of staff at a Devon animal centre in Tiverton. They only had a French microchip to work with but a month later the cat was reunited with its owner who'd moved to Cheriton Fitzpaine.

More first time buyers came through estate agents' doors than at any point in the previous eight months in Devon. New figures show they seem to be making the most of the stamp duty holiday before it comes to an end in March.

Children in North Devon could soon go to school at 3 and stay at the same place until their 11. Head of govenors at Bluecoat Infant and Nursery and Great Torrington Junior have agreed to think about a merger.