New speed cameras

catch 74 drivers

NEW-look speed cameras, which are more mobile and are easy to hold, have already proved their expertise in South East Cornwall.

A trial run of the hand-held Leica XV2 in the district trapped 74 motorists in two hours who were exceeding the speed limit.

The new devices, which have gained Home Office approval and are set for wider use in Cornwall, can take clear pictures of offending drivers.

For a fuller story see page 9.

Spider shock

at warehouse

THERE was an unexpected find for the owner of a Liskeard warehouse on Wednesday when a four inch spider crawled out of a pot, imported from Lombok, Indonesia, as he was unloading crates.

A colleague noticed the fanged spider, of the Huntsman family, when it was only inches from Andy Macknochie's hand, and ten minutes later another was discovered. The spiders were eventually taken away for identification by the RSPCA. Andy is owner of the wholesale company Batik Indah, on the Moorswater estate. It imports furniture and handicrafts from the Far East.

Rick cooks at

Downing Street

PADSTOW's famous fish chef Rick Stein, was last week invited to 10 Downing Street to cook a meal for Tony Blair and his guests, the French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. Included on the menu was Cornish lobster.

Rick intends to donate the fee paid for his culinary skills to the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.

Today is National Fish Day – see our special report on page 5.

Kirsty on the

Lottery Jetset

A FORMER Looe resident will make her second appearance on a BBC gameshow this weekend.

Kirsty Barrett will appear on the BBC's National Lottery Jetset on Saturday evening with her partner Michael Dingle, aiming to win a holiday in a quiz. If they are successful, they will return the following week and aim to continue their trip by answering questions against another contestant.

Kirsty had previously appeared on the gameshow 'Dog Eat Dog' after seeing an article in the Cornish Times. She scooped the show's £10,000 first prize.

Whale on beach

THE decomposing body of a pilot whale was discovered in a cove near Looe last weekend. The 12-14ft mammal was found at Wallace Cove.