Tyres slashed on ministry vehicles

Vehicles belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) who are engaged in the Government's present badger culling programme, were targeted by vandals late on Wednesday evening in the police car park at Looe with a similar attack taking place at St Austell.

Tyres were slashed and brake cables cut causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage, the three affected Looe based vehicles being towed away for repair on Thursday morning.

MAFF have been parking their vehicles in the town while engaged in the East Cornwall culling operation, which covers a square radius of about 39 miles.

Top post for local MP

South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed has been appointed Liberal Democrat spokesman for Agriculture, rural Affairs and Fisheries as part of the new Front Bench team.

Mr Breed, who was elected to parliament for the first time at the last general election and who lives in Saltash, said he was glad to accept the challenge of some of the most important areas of government policy.

One of his first jobs as spokesman was to visit the French Embassy and present the French Ambassador with a large joint of prime Cornish beef to bring his attention to the French embargo on British beef.

Baby Sophia in a rush to be born!

A woman from Albaston, near Gunnislake, has had the honour of being the first mum ever to give birth at the Tavistock General Hospital, and it was more by accident than design.

Mrs Mandy Jeffery, 37, who now lives in Hendra Vale, Launceston, was en route to Derriford Hospital with her husband Paul, when they had to divert to the Tavistock Hospital - baby didn't want to hang on any longer! Midwives Denise Bedford and Julie Harmsworth rushed to Mandy's aid and safely delivered Sophia Elizabeth Jean.

Recycling depot gets approval

Approval has been given to the establishment of a scrap store in part of the former 'lower' school premises in Old Road, Liskeard.

The scheme provides a recycling depot to process waste materials from schools, and similar outlets, for re-use in the community.

Some concerns had been expressed about the unit's impact on a mainly residential area, and traffic considerations. Caradon councillors heard only small delivery vehicles will be involved.

Site meeting at Sterts centre

A site meeting is to be held to discuss plans to extend Sterts centre, Upton Cross.

Caradon council planning manager, Keith Rolfe, told members of the planning sub committee (west) a site visit would allow residents, interested in the implications of the scheme, to attend. At the meeting Ewart Sturrock, of Sterts, spoke of proposals for the centre to provide for all the arts on one site. The site visit will take place on October 26 from l0am.