A MAN who said he was walking from Land's End to John o'Groats for charity has gone missing.

He had reportedly told people he was an ex-serviceman and that his name was Albert Edwards.

Said to have spoken with "a Cornish accent with an Irish tint", the walker is thought to be around 5'7",  in his early 60s and of an "extremely stocky build".

He was last seen at around 9pm on Monday April 22 in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland in the north east of England.

A police spokesperson said that "he had spoken to members of the public and may have links to Cornwall".

Former Cornish Pirates stalwart Rob Cook arrived at Kingsholm in the summer with two clear aims – to prove he could handle Aviva Premiership rugby and repay Nigel Davies' faith.

This weekend he will end his debut top-flight season having achieved plenty more than that.

The water-tight full-back hopes Gloucester can end their season with an emphatic result at Exeter Chiefs tomorrow – to ease the frustration of missing out on the Premiership play-offs.

Former Minor Counties cricketer Cook made the step up from the Pirates last summer, as one of new boss Davies' first Kingsholm signings.

The unassuming 28-year-old just wanted to hold his own in his debut Premiership season. But after a steady start he has improved every week, to the point where rugby director Davies has hailed him as one of Gloucester's most influential stars.

Cook also came third in the season ticket holders' player of the year vote, behind Akapusi Qera and winner Sione Kalamafoni.

The Lincoln-born counter-attacking threat admitted he has exceeded his own expectations this season.

He explained: "It's been a great year – I was just happy to be here at the start of the season. But to be on that list and receive votes from the supporters, that's fantastic.

"I wanted an opportunity to prove, probably more to myself than anyone else, that I could do it at this level. And I'm just really happy Nigel approached me and gave me the opportunity. I hope I've repaid him with what I've done."

Former cricket coach Cook racked up 1,029 points in three seasons at the Pirates between 2009 and 2012.

After excelling in the Championship in that prolific stint, the accurate goal-kicker finally won his top-level chance with Gloucester this term.

Ready to push to an even more fruitful campaign next year, Cook said Gloucester can challenge for the top titles – provided they finally strike out their frustrating inconsistency.

He continued: "The Premiership was always the next step when I was in the Championship. But now I've had one year I want to go further again and see how far I can push myself. We want to finish the season on a high and give ourselves momentum going into next year.

"We're disappointed not to get into the top-four, and the best way to get over that is to put in another performance like the Saracens game.

"You look back at some of the games over the season, and had we won those we would be in the top four, fairly obviously. But it was games we ought to have been winning that we lost. And so consistency and mental approach is going to be everything moving forward now."

London Editor

Westcountry hotels could cut food waste by reducing the size of plates in their restaurants, a team of Government advisers has indicated.

The Government's Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), which finds ways of "nudging" people to make better choices for themselves rather than through state intervention, has hailed "impressive results" from a study by Norwegian researchers into hotel buffets.

The report, by GreeNudge, found that smaller plates cut food waste by 19.5%. It also claimed introducing a sign pointing out that guests can help themselves more than once slashed food waste by 20.5%

"They found that reducing plate size and communicating that it's OK to come back for another serving resulted in a decrease in food waste whilst hotel guest satisfaction remained the same," said the BIT, known as the "nudge unit", in a blog which has yet to become fully fledged policy.

Tourism is the lifeblood of the Devon and Cornwall economy, employing thousands of people and attracting millions of people every year, with the region reliant on the sector more than any other part of the country.

The "nudge" team, established after the 2010 election, has previously helped to stamp out potential tax-dodging by localising letters stating nine out of ten Britons paid their dues on time, and that most people in their area had already done it.

Meanwhile, sending out personalised text messages to people who owed money to the courts – essentially with their name on it – prompted more to cough up on time. It will now be at the centre of initiatives on everything from job seeking to anti-smoking.

More details of its work emerged as Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude announced that the "nudge unit" will become a profit-making business.

The team of experts will join with a commercial partner in a John Lewis-style mutual to become the first policy unit to be spun out of Whitehall.

But Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "There is nothing mutual, co-operative or employee-led about what Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude is trying to do.

"The first mutual in the civil service was imposed by Maude's Government against a backdrop of strikes by the staff who wanted to remain as civil servants.

"Improving public services requires investment, not gimmicks and back-door privatisation."

It could be the first of "dozens" of elements of Whitehall to be spun out under Mr Maude's strategy to shake up the Civil Service.

A spokesman for Mr Maude said: "We are in a global race for the jobs and opportunities of the future. To get Britain back on the rise we must find innovative ways to deliver better services more efficiently.

"It's great news that the world-renowned 'nudge' unit is spinning out from central Government.

"As a mutual, they will combine the benefits of private-sector experience and investment with the innovation and commitment from staff leadership.

"We hope to support dozens more new spin-outs over the next few years. This is a whole new growth area and Britain is leading the way."

The value of a sunny bank holiday for the Westcountry's tourist industry has placed a greater emphasis on the need for good weather this weekend, according to tourism leaders.

While tourist bosses in Devon and Cornwall claimed in Easter the region's industry had weatherproofed its offering over the last decade, Malcolm Bell from VisitCornwall said a good bank holiday would shake holidaymakers out of the "winter mindset" caused by years of unseasonable weather.

Cornwall's tourism chief was joined by hoteliers in Devon, in hoping warmer weather over the weekend would encourage potential holidaymakers in Britain's cities to entertain the idea of a "staycation".

But while weather has been hot over the past week, the Met Office predicts the weekend will bring cloud and patchy rain with temperatures in the low mid-teens.

Mr Bell said: "It is absolutely vital. We need to get people out of this winter mindset. In other words, on the weekend, stay at home and sit in front of the TV. This year is very important. We do need to get people thinking of holidays, we do need to get people thinking about booking holidays in Britain. Our website stats show that people are thinking, just not booking. For that reason, it is just as important that the weather is good in London and Birmingham."

The Westcountry's tourism sector had to contend with the coldest March in more than 50 years, with figures remaining in the single figures. That followed one of the wettest years on record with a washout summer dispelling fears of drought last spring. But the weather has now picked up during the last week of April with temperatures in the mid-teens, combined with long hours of sunshine.

Holiday company cottages4you has seen a 20% increase in British getaways in the last two days, with St Ives, Port Isaac and Padstow featuring in the top 10. Managing director Nick Rudge commented: "People have been hanging on later than usual to see what happened with the weather. Now the Met Office is reporting it's likely to be a sunny bank holiday, people are keen to bag a last-minute break to make the most of the first signs of summer

James Sharp, chair of Devon Hotels and general manager of Sidholme Hotel in Sidmouth said: "There are so many things to do in the region and with the warmer weekend weather, we are hopeful that we will see an influx of people into the area."

Four benefit cheats in Cornwall who falsely claimed more than £24,000 all faced court this week as part of council crackdown.

The four, who all committed council tax or housing benefit fraud, were given sentences which ranged from community orders to a two-year conditional discharge.

All were ordered to pay towards Cornwall Council's legal and investigation costs.

The biggest fraud was that of Robert Foster, 49, of Hawkins Way, Helston, who wrongly claimed £12,471 in housing and council tax benefit.

The 49-year-old was given a 12-month community order of 120-hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to not informing the council he was in paid employment.

Tania Pope, 37, of High Lanes, Hayle, pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud and was also given a 12-month community, with 80 hours of unpaid work.

Carl Thomas of Murdoch Close, Redruth, pleaded guilty to not informing the council he was in receipt of increased earnings.

The 44-year-old received an 18-month conditional discharge for benefit fraud totalling £1,035.

James Berriman, 35, of Long Rock, received a two-year conditional discharge at Truro Magistrates Court for fraud totalling £4,644.

All overpaid benefits are being recovered in separate actions.

To report suspected fraud, call 0800 7316125.

With 3,000 singers in 60 choirs performing at some 40 venues, there will be few places in Cornwall untouched by choral music this weekend.

The sixth biennial Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival started yesterday when the young members of the Czech Boys Choir, dressed in full regalia, sang on St Michael's Mount. As guests of James St Aubyn, who recently became the new Lord St Levan, the boys' outdoor concert heralded the start of what promises to be four days of quality music.

More than 50 concerts, involving singers from Australia, Russia, Finland, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Russia, France, Germany, Lithuania, England, Scotland and Wales, as well as Cornwall itself, will perform to more than 30,000 people. Venues range from Truro Cathedral and Hall for Cornwall to St Neot Church and St Just Methodist Chapel.

The first event of the programme took place yesterday evening, when Cornwall Boys Choir joined Cornwall Cambiata, The Scholars, Dagilelis from Lithuania and St Petersburg Boys Choir in an International Youth Gala Concert at Truro Methodist Church. Today will see concerts in Truro, Falmouth, Porthleven, Redruth and Liskeard.

Peter Davies said: "We aim to be inclusive and spread the joy of this wonderful event right across Cornwall. Every community will have access to world-class singing and we hope people will flock to show their appreciation for so much home-grown and international talent."

Dozens of daytime concerts will be staged in gardens, schools and picturesque locations from Bude to Paul. The Hall for Cornwall finale on Monday will see St Keverne Youth Band accompanying choirs from Mevagissey, Sydney, Lithuania and St Petersburg. For more details visit www.cimvcf.org.uk or the box office at www.hallforcornwall.org.uk

A new-look political map of the Westcountry will emerge today as the results of local elections will reveal whether the UK Independence Party's surging poll rating will translate into electoral success.

After polling stations closed at 10pm last night, the results of all-out elections at Cornwall Council, Devon County Council and Somerset County Council are expected between lunchtime and 6pm.

The Conservatives have held both Devon and Somerset – and led the coalition with Independents on Cornwall – since 2009.

But the Tories are braced to lose hundreds of seats across the country in protest at a mid-term Government and as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) raids its vote.

UKIP's Devon chairman Steve Crowther said voters were flocking to them to "stick up two fingers to the other parties", but warned the first-past-the-post electoral system meant it might struggle to get its candidates elected even its share of the vote increased.

The Liberal Democrats, who consider the South West to be their power base, could also be stung by its involvement with unpopular government policies. The party has targeted the region but Andrew George, a Cornwall Lib Dem MP, admitted the Tories would have to perform "catastrophically" to be the biggest group in the Duchy again.

Millions of people were expected at the ballot box in England and Wales – with a bout of long-awaited sunshine boosting turnout – as 2,300 seats are contested in 27 county councils and seven unitary authorities.

But at the polling station at Truro Methodist Church, officers reported that by mid-afternoon just 84 out of 1,233 people registered had voted – although that excluded postal voters. One voter in Truro speaking to the Western Morning News said they were voting Green Party – which has expectations of winning its first seat in Cornwall – and said: "The Green Party is the only one which actually appreciates and takes a comprehensive approach to the issues surrounding climate change. All the other parties around here pay lip service to it."

In Devon, Labour worked hard in Exeter with a team of up to 18 activists and MP Ben Bradshaw knocking on doors, while the Lib Dems said they were campaigning right up until the polls closed.

Candidates who spoke to the WMN claimed the Conservatives seemed not to have staged a very strong campaign in what is their heartland.

Areas normally "plastered" with Tory posters and placards appeared puzzlingly vacant, one independent activist said.

In East Devon, where some expect a protest vote against the ruling Tory administration, there were signs that recent controversies were encouraging large numbers to vote.

A string of embarrassing stories in the past year saw the district council branded a "one-party state" and according to critics, locals are set to punish the Party in the polling booth. In Feniton, the ward left vacant in March when controversial councillor Graham Brown resigned after being captured on hidden camera boasting of his ability to secure planning permissions, turnout was said to be past 50%. One source said: "This figure was hit mid-afternoon and didn't even include postal votes so turnout could eventually be as high as 60%."

Political watchers will be keeping a keen eye on UKIP. Mr Crowther, chairman of the party in Devon, who is standing in Braunton, North Devon, said: "There is no doubt that UKIP will do well – in Devon, in the South West, nationally.

"What that means in terms of seats we just don't know. UKIP's growth has been consistent across the country, which is a problem because it means we don't get spikes.

"On the doorsteps and on the streets it is clear we are attracting people from all political traditions, even third-generation Liberal activists."

Mr George, Lib Dem MP for St Ives, said: "I don't think for one minute we're going to be the majority party in Cornwall.

"And I don't think, unless the Conservatives do catastrophically, we're going to be the biggest group either.

"Not when we are in a coalition Government and they're throwing everything at us."

Cornwall head coach Benji Thomas has been forced into a couple of late changes to his side as they prepare to face Gloucestershire at Dockham Road, Cinderford (3pm) in tomorrow's Bill Beaumont Cup opener, writes Dick Straughan.

Camborne's Sam Matavesi will take over in the back row from Tom Rawlings while clubmate Ashley Lawton has been called up to replace Josh Lord on the bench. Hooker Darren Semmens, who spent last season with the Cornish Pirates, has also been drafted in as a replacement.

Ben Hilton skippers the Cornwall team as they look for their first away win since 2005 against the 17-times winners of the County competition, with a side predominantly made up of strong contingents from Redruth and the Cornish All Blacks.

Coventry's Steve Johns, formerly of Mounts Bay and Cornish All Blacks, starts at outside centre with former Plymouth Albion back row Sam Hocking at No8. St Austell scrum-half Matt Shepherd is on the bench.

Gloucestershire last made it to the final in 2010 when they were well beaten by Lancashire and have named 14 members of the Cinderford side which finished 11th in National One this season in their squad.

Richmond's Will Warden will captain the team from the second row, while talented Old Centralians centre Liam Hemming, who proved such a handful for Camborne last weekend, is on the bench.

Gloucestershire: (Cinderford unless otherwise stated) Hawkins, Codlin, Pascal (Richmond), Done, Stapleton, Wilcox, Arnott (Southend); Bundy, Wilkes (Moseley), George (Stourbridge), Warden (capt, Richmond), West, Joyce (Dings Crusaders), Foden, Evans. Replacements: Smart, Selway, Critchley, Allen, Pointon, Hemming (Old Centralians), Sutherland (Esher).

Cornwall: Murphy (Cornish All Blacks), Bright (CABs), Johns (Coventry), Webber (CABs), Notman, Thirlby, Goodfellow (all Redruth); Jacques, Brown, Williams, Cook (all Redruth), Hilton (capt, CABs), Fuca (Redruth), Matavesi (Camborne), Hocking (unattached). Replacements: Priddey (Redruth & Royal Navy), Rice, Chapman (both CABs), Lawton (Camborne), Semmens (unattached), Shepherd (St Austell), Vinnicombe (Redruth).

The West Cornwall Schools' U13s team will be out to make Cornwall football history when they take on Liverpool U13s in the final of the  English Schools' Football Association's  Boys' Inter Association Trophy at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground on Wednesday.

It is the furthest a team from the county has ever got  in an ESFA competition and they have had to come through seven rounds to reach the final.

Manager Kevin Lawrence is hoping that plenty of Cornish footballs fans can make the trip for the game, which kicks off at 4pm and will be played to a finish wwth extra time and penalties is needed.

He said: "It will be great to have support at the game as the boys embark on Cornish football history and hopefully get the result they wish for.

But either  way, they are winners in my eyes.  Spread the word and be a 12th man/woman for the boys on their big day."

Squad: William Trew (Truro School), Oliver Walker (Richard Lander), Oliver Pritchard (Richard Lander), Adam Dower (Richard Lander), Finn Robinson (Penryn College), Finn Cross (Penryn College), Luke Jephcott (Penryn College), Joel Allen (Penryn College), Joshua Otto (capt. St Ives), Louis Graham (St Ives), Toby Horsell (St.Ives), Ryan Barnes (Camborne School), Jack Webber (Hayle School), Theo Simpson (Mounts Bay Academy), Jacob Trudgeon (Mounts Bay Academy) and Max Armstrong (Mounts Bay Academy).

Truro City player-manager Lee Hodges said today he was "gutted" not to have even been offered a new contract for next season.

Chairman Pete Masters rang the Tigers' boss this morning to inform him of the news that the popular former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United player would not be offered a new deal to extend his three year reign as City boss.

In a statement Masters said: "I have today informed Lee that the club will not be offering a new contract. 

"Given the uncertainty surrounding the CVA and Truro City's football league status at this time both Philip and I thought it only right to put an end to the current speculation as whether Lee will manage the team next season now to enable him every opportunity to secure a suitable position elsewhere. 

"Lee will always be remembered for his contribution towards guiding Truro City through its darkest hours during the administration both on and off the pitch and will be sincerely missed by us all."

Speaking this morning a disappointed Hodges said: "I  am in a little bit of shock and gutted not to be even offered one (a new contract). It is a  bit of a sad way to end.

"But at least it will give me time to find something else. I am open to all offers and want to stay in football." 

The news will come as a big disappointment to the vast majority of City supporters who have always given their backing to the popular Hodges in his three seasons in charge, the highlight of which was winning the Southern League premier division title and with it  promotion  to Blue Square Bet South.

But the club, amidst financial problems and which is still in administration, has been relegated this season after finishing bottom of the table.

And at just what level they will be playing at next season is unclear, with a three league drop to the Western League still a real possibility.

Hodges, who made 74 appearances for City as a player,  said he had already been planning for next season at Treyew Road after earlier  being told the club wanted him to stay on but that had now gone out of the window.

He added: "I would like to thank all the players and supporters who have  been brilliant to me in my time with the club.

"The biggest frustration  was that it was only in the year we won the Southern League that I was only really able to manage.

"For the past two seasons its has been frustrating with all the problems  and it has  just been an achievement to get a team out every week.

"There have been a lot of highs, but probably more lows. But I am not too bitter. That's football and I  wish the club well."

Speculation will now increase as to who will succeed Hodges for next season and just how many of the squad that finished the season will remain at Treyew Road, considering all the uncertainity.

City's Head of Football Development Steve Massey looks sure to play a part and former City managers Leigh Cooper and Graeme Kirkup are other names that could well be in the frame to succeed Hodges.
But Mr Masters said this morning that nobody had been lined up for the job 
He added that there was a lot of work going on behind the scenes to stabilise the club.
"We have got to move forward. It would not have been fair on Lee to keep him waiting until June and then say we could not offer him anything. He has put a lot of effort into the club  and I am sure he won't have a shortage of offers."