Police social club has closed

The social club attached to Liskeard police station, which also served the nearby ambulance and fire stations, has been closed down.

A spokesman for the Cornwall and Devon police force said that it had been one of the few such social clubs remaining, as the others had gradually been closed. This is to save on office space, and is also part of the policy of chief constable, Sir John Evans, that police stations do not require social clubs.

The club had featured numerous retirement parties, and its darts and euchre teams are now being hosted elsewhere, or are searching for alternative accommodation. It is believed that Dobsons and the Royal British Legion clubs have come to the rescue in some cases.

Flu bug: numbers are still rising

Medical services throughout South East Cornwall and in the whole region have been at full stretch since the run up to Christmas and New Year coping with an influx of patients suffering from the flu bug, and cases are still rising in numbers.

A Liskeard GP has described the bug as a very unpleasant viral upper respiratory infection which is affecting all age groups, but mainly the elderly, who are more susceptible to a chest infection complication. He said he worked at the control centre in Truro of Kernow Doc on New Year's Day and was extremely busy.

Concern after dog cuts paw

A Liskeard resident has called for a change in the way drinks are sold in glass bottles after an incident at The Parade during the Christmas and New Year period.

His Yorkshire terrier dog cut his paw on broken glass from abandoned beer bottles while being taken for a walk on The Parade, and had to be rushed to the vet. His owner said: 'It ruined our Christmas. A section of his paw was cut away.'

Tamar Bridge closure

The Tamar Bridge Project Team have confirmed the Tamar Bridge will be closed for the overnight period of Saturday, January 8 at 10pm until Sunday, January 9 at 6am for work on essential parts of the new cantilever lanes to be started

Blood donor session details

The National Blood Service is holding its Blood Donation Sessions once more this year.

At Torpoint Council Chambers, 4 York Road, the sessions are being held on Friday, January 7 (today) at 1.30pm until 3.15pm and from 5pm until 7.15pm.

At Liskeard the sessions are being held at the Public Hall, West Street on January 10; January 11 and January 12. All the sessions are being held at 1.30pm until 3.15pm and from 5pm until 7.15pm. At the Guildhall (East Looe Town Trust) in Looe the sessions are being held on January 17 and January 18 both from 1.30pm until 3.15pm and from 5pm until 7.15pm. Par also has sessions at The Scout Hall, 15 Moorland Road on Monday 24 January from 1.30pm until 3.15pm and from 5pm until 7.15pm.

Yachtsmen urged to help Customs

Keen yachtsmen and women sailing the coast off South East Cornwall are being urged to join a campaign to beat the smugglers during the year 2000. Customs officers are asking those plying the waters throughout the South West to be alert for suspicious activity and contact the Customs confidential 24-hour hotline. Spokesman for Customs in the South West, Bob Gaiger, said: 'We have had great success in intercepting smuggling by yachts in the South West, but even with all our coastal patrols we can't be everywhere all the time.'