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A THIEF got his wish when he told a judge that he wanted to go to prison because he could not cope with life outside.

Brodie Rippingale, 27, of Kimberley Park Road, Falmouth, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court to stealing drink worth £4 from Tesco on April 28.

He also admitted possessing amphetamine.

He admitted breaching a ten-week suspended jail sentence imposed at the same court on April 23 after he admitted stealing men's face wash at Wilkinsons, Falmouth, the previous day.

Alison May, for the CPS, said he told police after he was arrested this time: "I did it so I could get arrested and go to jail." He had previous convictions.

Deborah Von Kohler, for the defence, said Rippingale only had the chance to get clean of drugs in prison.

Rippingale told District Judge Paul Clark: "I don't mean to make a mockery of your court.

"My life has just become so hopeless, living in a squat where there is a lot of thieving and violence, and I have just given up.

"Prison is a horrible place and I am not a tough character but at the moment I just feel absolutely hopeless and don't know what to do, where to go or where to turn.

"I want some help."

After inquiries were made through the probation service and a drugs welfare organisation, the judge decided he would activate the suspended sentence of ten weeks.

Falmouth thief Brodie Rippingale gets 'wish' to be jailed

A high pressure system moving from the Azores towards the UK means that Cornwall will see increasingly summery weather as the week progresses. Today, many parts of the county will start dry with sunny spell and light winds but showers will continue in places and become increasingly heavy with the risk of thunder and hail. It will feel warmer than in previous days with the best of the sunshine across the coastal areas. Tonight will be chilly with mist or fog patches.

Warmer weather for Cornwall as high pressure moves towards the UK

Mussel diver Matt Vernon has been presented with a Chief Fire Officers commendation by Cornwall's chief fire officer Des Tidbury in recognition of his valiant attempts to rescue a lady trapped in her submerged car at the King Harry Ferry, Feock in March 2013. Matt was working nearby and, on hearing calls for help, raced to assist in any way he could. Matt, with complete disregard for his own safety, repeatedly entered the water in an attempt to save the lady. The presentation was made at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's annual award ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth recognising the achievements of 27 Community Safety staff and members of the public during its annual award ceremony at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth Fire service personnel were also awarded a RSPCA Bronze Gallantry medal, presented by RSPCA Inspector Paul Kempson and Animal Collection Officer Peter Ferris, for their part in the rescue of a pony from cliffs at Rame Head, Torpoint. This was a complicated rescue involving the RSPCA, Fire Service, the Royal Marines and veterinary staff, and took more than six hours from the time of call to the pony being successfully rescued uninjured. RSPCA Chief Inspector Neil Thomas said: "The RSPCA receives many calls about animals stuck in all sorts of predicaments - many of the rescues we can affect ourselves, but for a sizeable number we would simply not be able to resolve them without the assistance of the Fire Service and other organisations. "This operation involved a number of organisations with a variety of skills, all working together to bring about the successful rescue of the pony." The Chief Fire Officer's Cup for Community Safety, which recognises the outstanding work that an individual has carried out in serving the public, was awarded by Mr Tidbury to domestic abuse & sexual violence strategy manager Michelle Davies in recognition of her contribution toward domestic abuse services in Cornwall. Michelle's dedication and hard work has resulted in the opening of the Risk Evaluation and Coordination Hub (REACH): the first multi-agency domestic abuse hub of its kind in the country. Mr Tidbury also presented Letters of Appreciation and Commendations to a number of staff, including: A letter of appreciation awarded to crewsl from St Ives Community Fire Station in recognition of their actions, tenacity and determination when dealing with a fire at the Vintage Tea Room, St Ives; A chief fire officer's commendation to fire control operator John Hocking in recognition of his actions when dealing with an emergency call received from a disabled lady trapped in her property by fire; A chief fire officer's commendation to fire control temporary crew manager Amanda Masters in recognition of her actions when dealing with an emergency call from a lady trapped in her vehicle in rising floodwater.

Fire officer's award for diver in King Harry Ferry tragedy

The Portreath Cliff Rescue Team is appealing for help in tracing a brown and white collie cross. 'Paddy' was last seen on May 4 just above Porthtowan on the coastal path towards Portreath. Paddy has a small cyst on her head, is fitted with a tag, has been spayed and is also tagged and microchipped. Call 01209 890119 if you have any information as to the dog's whereabouts.

Collie cross Paddy lost on coast path near Porthtowan

Overseas visitors spent £127 million in Cornwall last year as more foreign tourists headed west in the year after the Olympics, official figures show. An extra 16,000 foreign visitors to the peninsula as the UK saw a surge in tourist numbers following the global exposure of the London games. It is hoped more foreign tourists could be tempted to visit the far South West this year after Britain's overseas tourist board said it wanted to make the countryside the centrepiece of its next campaign. The flood-hit Dawlish line in Devon was one of the iconic images of the winter floods, and its malaise broadcast across the world gave the impression the South West was closed for business. But the VisitBritain quango has produced a poster featuring a train running on a fully functioning Dawlish line. Previously images in their campaign have been emblazoned over buses in Berlin and on the Paris Metro. Tourism is the lifeblood of the Devon and Cornwall economy but they rely principally on domestic business. Yet the latest Office for National Statistics figures show how the region is increasingly popular with foreigners. Germany has long had a love affair with region after falling for the charms of author Rosamunde Pilcher, whose romantic novels set in Devon and Cornwall have been adapted for television since the 1980s. Last year, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset attracted 1.3m visits from abroad – 536,000 in Devon (up 148,000), 319,000 in Cornwall (an increase of 16,000) and 496,000 in Somerset (up 101,000). Tourism Minister Helen Grant said: "The number of overseas residents visiting the UK is at an all-time high and they're spending more money than ever before too. This shows how strongly our tourism sector is performing, playing a vital role in the economy's upturn." Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of VisitBritain, added spending growth was faster outside of London. He said: "These strong results underpin the forecast that inbound tourism will continue to grow by over 6% a year across the rest of this decade, making a significant contribution to the UK's balance of payments and continuing to offer rapidly growing employment opportunities. "Tourism is, and always will be, a major part of the British economy."

Overseas visitors brought £127 million into Cornwall's economy in 2013

Students from Cornwall College were able to get in on the act when during a visit to the Camborne campus TV hardman Ross Kemp snapped a selfie with a difference. The actor, most famous for his role as Grant Mitchell in the soap Eastenders, was visiting the campus where he undertook one of his most daunting challenges to date – a grilling from students. But after gamely fielding questions about his life and career, Mr Kemp agreed to pose for a selfie with the room full of clearly delighted students. The image mirrored the most used selfie in the world when Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres snapped a picture in front of a group of Hollywood A-listers. It later became the most tweeted photo ever. Mr Kemp, who has reported from the front line of the battle in Afghanistan, toured the campus to view the facilities and to meet with staff. The actor was at Camborne College along with Michael Foster, the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Camborne and Redruth and Baroness Margaret Mcdonagh, the former Chairman of the Labour Party.

Eastenders' hardman Ross Kemp poses for selfie with Camborne students

Rural families are forced to stump up more for childcare than people living in towns and cities according to a latest study. The Countryside Living Index published by NFU Mutual says average prices for weekly childcare are 6.3 per cent more in rural areas than in urban locations at £202 versus £190 per week. The study believes the price differential is likely to be the result of supply and demand, with rural families having few available nurseries within their local area. The high cost of childcare could also have a deeper impact for people living in the countryside with questions on childcare spending factored into new mortgage questionnaires. Tim Price, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: "The lack of affordable, accessible child care in the countryside combined with sparse employment opportunities is making it it's even harder for families to get by when they have young children. "And with new mortgage rules meaning such expenses need to be factored into mortgage applications, this is another economic issue that young families living in the countryside face." Nearly a third of rural parents (31 per cent) have just one nursery or crèche in their local area and a quarter (25 per cent) have none available within easy reach of their home, meaning that less than half (44 per cent) have two or more to choose from. As a result, a quarter of parents living in the countryside believe they pay a premium on services because of a lack of choice. The problem of childcare is made worse for rural families by the fact that grandparents are more likely to live further away and be unable to help out. Despite the issues faced the quality of life is still higher than average according to the study. Mr Price said: ""However, while rural families do pay more for child care they also enjoy a high level of satisfaction with local education provision and a greater quality of life overall compared to their urban counterparts."

Rural families in Cornwall paying more for childcare than people in towns and cities

A TRURO attraction will be able to provide more facilities for visitors after plans for improved parking and toilets were approved. Llama Llandcorr was granted planning permission by Cornwall Council for a toilet and shower block as well as a parking area yesterday. The attraction at Penare Farm, St Allen currently allows visitors to park in a field and has just a single toilet cubicle. Owner Tom Tripp had originally planned to apply for an extended area for camping and caravans but withdrew that element. St Allen Parish Council had objected to the scheme due to the loss of agricultural land and said it was an over development of the area. Local Cornwall councillor Mike Eathorne-Gibbons agreed and told the central area planning committee: "As a one-time small businessman I give full weight to this venture. "However, in my view, the downsides outweigh the upsides." he said: "In my view, no matter what the planning officer says, this application is not simply infrastructure for the existing business. This is an application with a clear view of increasing an expanding the business." Mr Eathorne-Gibbons said that there were also concerns about increased traffic on the roads leading to the site and said locals were concerned this could lead to more chances of an accident. Committee member John Fitter said that as the farm is open all year round it needed the hard standing for parking and said he had "no problem" with the application and gave his support. Councillor John Dyer said that he objected to the plans: "I don't think anyone here would expect me to support the use of grade two agricultural land for anything other than farming." He said he already despaired at the amount of farmland being turned into solar and wind farms and highlighted that land on Penare Farm was already being used for solar panels. He said: "It is one more nail in the coffin of a great farm." Committee vice chairman David Hughes said that he could see no valid planning reason to refuse the application and said it should be supported by the council. The committee voted 10 to one in favour with three abstentions.

LLama Lland near Truro given green light for parking area

Nearly 50 new homes will be built near Boscawen Park in Truro when a luxury riverside development is completed. The Boscawen Woods development opposite the tennis courts and park on Malpas Road was left unfinished when Cornish Homes (UK) Ltd, owned by former Truro City chairman Kevin Heaney, went into liquidation in 2008. Now Linden Homes has bought the site and will be building a further 30 apartments and 17 townhouses under the Three Rivers development. Linden Homes' managing director, Nigel Palmer, said: "We are delighted to have acquired this exciting new development in Truro. "Three Rivers is going to be built to a high specification and is well situated, near the river and close to the city centre. Work is starting on site imminently and we're excited to get things moving."

Nearly 50 new riverside homes for Truro with luxury development completed

It was the meeting everyone had been waiting for - between two Ross Poldarks from different eras. Being Human star Aidan Turner has taken up the mantle of the role first made famous by Robin Ellis in the hit 1970s drama. Mr Ellis, now a food writer based in France, was chosen for the role of the Reverend Dr Halse in the latest version currently being filmed near Bristol. Writing on his blog, Mr Ellis said the filming process had changed dramatically in the last forty years. When filming the original Poldark series they would rehearse for six days followed by two days in the studio with recording at the end of the second day. Mr Ellis said of the current production: "There is no rehearsal. Learn the lines and find out how best to play them on the job." The veteran actor said everyone on set clapped when director Ed Bazalgette remarked on the unique situation of having two Ross Poldarks in the same room. He said: "Aidan Turner (aka Ross Poldark) and I – all smiles–relieved we'd done it and happy we were smiling about it, shook hands warmly and vigorously."

Two Ross Poldarks in the same room - the meeting of Aidan Turner and Robin Ellis

Two women have been killed, and 11 others taken to hospital after a coach crash near Looe this lunchtime. The driver of the coach, a 57-year-old man from Exeter, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police and other emergency services were called to the scene on the A387 at Morval at around 1pm after reports that a coach carrying around 40 passengers had collided with a hedge. One person, a woman, was declared dead at the scene. A second woman died after arriving at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Seven other people were taken to hospital by air ambulance, while four others were taken to hospital by land ambulance. Three air ambulances, two from Devon and one from Cornwall, six land ambulances, five police rapid response vehicles and a hazardous response vehicle attended the scene. Fire crews from Looe, Liskeard and Bodmin also dealt with the incident. The coach had been travelling from the Plymouth direction towards Looe between Sandplace and Widegates when the incident occurred. One local resident said: "It is dreadful. The coach lost his brakes on the top of the hill at the Snooty Fox and careered down the hill. "As it did so it turned on it's side and all the windows blew out and it lost all the glass. "All the neighbours have been rushing around making tea for them. We spoke to a few of the people who were coming out of the wreckage. It was a bus full of older people. "The passengers from the other side of the coach were deeply shocked by it all." She added: "I think it must have happened at around 1pm because by 1.15pm I was aware of flashing lights. "I think we must have every ambulance possible here at the moment. "I didn't hear the crash itself which is amazing because I was only about 50 yards away, it is quite windy and open here though. "We have about five different helicopters and air ambulances flying around at the moment ferrying people back and forth. "I don't really know where the coach was headed really, we have so many people coming down to Looe at this time of the year." One 69 year-old resident who has lived in the area since her teens, said the remote road was difficult to negotiate. The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "Amazingly there have been no accidents on the road till this. "We've been waiting for something like this to happen for a while. "People use the road too fast. Although there are 'slow' signs, people just don't follow them. "The road is quite bendy, and can be tricky, particularly for big vehicles. "I think that part, where I think the accident was, it particularly tricky. It comes down from a hill - quite a steep hill." Local resident Sue Williams, 46, said the area was swarming with ambulances, fire engines and a number of Sea King Royal Navy helicopters. The school admin assistant, who has lived in Morval for 25 years, said: "There are lots of vehicles coming and going - flashing lights everywhere. "There were lots of ambulances around and police patrols. "They had big Royal Navy helicopters up in the air, and the air ambulances - that's when I knew it must be bad. I assume they were helping to collect people "It is the main road from Looe that goes up and through. It is a single carriageway and it's narrow down there but it's big enough for two vehicles to pass. "There is still a lot going on down there." The coach belonged to Exeter operator Carmel and was believed to be heading towards Looe from Plymouth. It is believed the trip was organised by Age Concern, and was heading from Exmouth to Looe. Carmel Coaches spokesman Tony Hazell said: "We are all very upset about what has happened today. It is the first time in 30 years we have ever had any passenger injured in any accident. "Our feelings go out to the family of the deceased. We have staff down at the scene and will be carrying out an investigation but at the moment it is too early to comment on the circumstances around the incident." The A387 in Widegates is closed in both directions between the B3252 junction and the B3254 Sandplace Road junction. A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: "Due to a serious RTC at Morval, the A387 is currently closed, as is the B3253 at St Martin's road due to retaining wall works. "The public should therefore be advised to access Looe via the B3254 through Duloe or the B3359 via Pelynt and West Looe." A police spokesperson said: "The road has been closed and is expected to remain so for some time." *Police have confirmed the driver of the coach, a 57-year-old man from Exeter, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He is being held in custody in Launceston. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to please call police on 101 reference 351 13/05/14.

Two dead, eleven others taken to hospital after coach crash at Morval on A387 near Looe

Jewellery worth £15,000 is believed to have been stolen from a train in Truro. British Transport Police (BTP) said the jewellery was thought to have been stolen after a passenger left the items on a sleeper train. The passenger, a 39-year-old woman from London, travelled from London Paddington to Truro, arriving shortly after 7am on April 19. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dave Bailey, said: "When alighting at Truro, the victim inadvertently left her diamond ring and earring set in the sleeping berth she had stayed in on the overnight journey from London. "The train was searched but there was no trace of the woman's jewellery. "I am appealing for anyone with any information about the theft, or the whereabouts of the items pictured, to come forward and contact BTP." Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016.

Jewellery worth £15,000 stolen from Truro train

A coach driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after two women were killed and dozens were left injured ain a crash on the outskirts of Looe this lunchtime. The 57-year-old man, from Exeter, is being held in custody in Launceston and will be questioned this evening. Police and other emergency services were called to the scene on the A387 at Morval at around 1pm after reports of a coach carrying around 40 passengers colliding with a hedge. Three air ambulances, two from Devon and one from Cornwall, six land ambulances, five police rapid response vehicles and a hazardous response vehicle attended the scene, alongside fire crews from neighbouring towns. One person, a woman believed to be in her 60s, was declared dead at the scene. A second woman died after arriving at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Seven other people were taken to hospital by air ambulance, while four others were taken to hospital by land ambulance. The coach had been travelling from the Plymouth direction towards Looe between Sandplace and Widegates when the incident occurred. One local resident said: "It is dreadful. The coach lost his brakes on the top of the hill at the Snooty Fox and careered down the hill. "As it did so it turned on it's side and all the windows blew out and it lost all the glass. "All the neighbours have been rushing around making tea for them. We spoke to a few of the people who were coming out of the wreckage. It was a bus full of older people. "The passengers from the other side of the coach were deeply shocked by it all." She added: "I think it must have happened at around 1pm because by 1.15pm I was aware of flashing lights. "I think we must have every ambulance possible here at the moment. "I didn't hear the crash itself which is amazing because I was only about 50 yards away, it is quite windy and open here though. "We have about five different helicopters and air ambulances flying around at the moment ferrying people back and forth. "I don't really know where the coach was headed really, we have so many people coming down to Looe at this time of the year." Local resident Sue Williams, 46, said the area was swarming with ambulances, fire engines and a number of Sea King Royal Navy helicopters. The school admin assistant, who has lived in Morval for 25 years, said: "There are lots of vehicles coming and going - flashing lights everywhere. "There were lots of ambulances around and police patrols. "They had big Royal Navy helicopters up in the air, and the air ambulances - that's when I knew it must be bad. I assume they were helping to collect people "It is the main road from Looe that goes up and through. It is a single carriageway and it's narrow down there but it's big enough for two vehicles to pass. "There is still a lot going on down there." The coach belonged to Exeter operator Carmel and was believed to be heading towards Looe from Plymouth. It is believed the trip was organised by Age Concern, and was heading from Exmouth to Looe. Carmel Coaches spokesman Tony Hazell said: "We are all very upset about what has happened today. It is the first time in 30 years we have ever had any passenger injured in any accident. "Our feelings go out to the family of the deceased. We have staff down at the scene and will be carrying out an investigation but at the moment it is too early to comment on the circumstances around the incident." MP for South East Cornwall Sheryll Murray said: "It's just absolutely tragic. "I would like to pay tribute to all of the rescue services. They do a tremendous job. I know they will be going above and beyond to make sure that the injured who need hospital treatment are transferred as quickly as possible. "The communities will rally around and will offer comfort to the walking wounded and the other people who are very, very frightened." A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: "The A387 is currently closed, as is the B3253 at St Martin's road due to retaining wall works. "Traffic is being signed into looe via the B3359 through Pelynt and out via B3254 through Duloe. The public are advised to follow the diversion signing. "Fire and ambulance crews have also been called to the scene." Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call police on 101 reference 351 130514.

Driver arrested after two killed in coach crash on A387 at Morval near Looe

The search is on for a champion of Truro to open a major community event being held this autumn. Truro Day is being held for the first time this year to celebrate everything about the city and the people who live and work here. Organisers are now appealing for nominations for a "special" person to launch the event in Boscawen Park. Organiser Claire Stocker said: "After considering various options the consensus of the Truro Day committee has agreed that a special yet everyday person from Truro's community should be chosen to open the event." Nominees have to come from Truro or live in the city or work towards making Truro a better place. Activities such as organising a neighbourhood watch or street parties or helping out neighbours could all prompt nominations. Any councillors, MPs or anybody holding public office are disbarred from being nominated. Ms Stocker said: "We want a special person from the general population." The event came about after Matt Hillyard put together a Facebook group called Nostalgic Truro - Old Shops, which attracted enormous interest and now has more than 4,400 members. Ms Stocker said: "It's been incredible, it suddenly snowballed. "I think people are just proud to be a Truronian - whether that is people who live, work or play here." The idea of Truro Day was born after a member of the group suggested that it would be good for the Truro community to get together once a year to celebrate everything about the city. Plans for the day on September on September 14 are in full swing with entertainment booked throughout the day including a reunion of Truro Town Band members. Nominations for somebody to open the event can only be made on the Nostalgic Truro Facebook group. The top five names will be established by number of votes and then judged by three Truro Day committee members to establish a winner. The winner will get the recognition of their home city for the contribution they have made towards Truro, a position as judge in the first Truro Day pasty competition and extra prizes as sponsorship is agreed. For more information go online to www.truroday.co.uk

Who should be chosen as champion of Truro?

THIS year's annual Masked Ball Hallowe'en dance music festival will no longer go ahead at the farm on the Lizard used in previous years.

The organisers have dropped Rosuick Farm, at Traboe, near St Keverne, after poor weather caused chaos at the last event.

The premises licence for the site was under review by Cornwall Council after numerous complaints – but the organisers agreed to surrender it themselves. Masked Ball spokesman Nigel Pengelly said: "The event is not going to happen again there and we are looking for another venue."

Dreadful weather and heavy downpours turned the parking area into a quagmire over the weekend of October 26 and 27.

A car queuing to get into the festival site overheated and caught fire and an ambulance broke down – all of which caused traffic chaos.

Some of the 3,000 partygoers were turned away in an effort to reopen the roads while many parked their vehicles on the side of country lanes and tramped across fields to reach the site.

People living across the eastern Lizard peninsula also complained about the noise going on into the early hours, people trespassing on neighbouring properties and the traffic.

Flares set off by revellers also scared camels from the adjoining farm which escaped into the road.

Mr Pengelly said the organisers had taken measures to try to mitigate the disruption caused by the heavy rain leading up to the festival.

He said: "The council and police all agreed the roads were wide enough, but when we had exceptional circumstances like a car catching fire and an ambulance breaking down, they just couldn't cope.

"We do want to hold the event again, but in the right place."

Licensing officers at Cornwall Council had been asked to review the various complaints from people about the festival, which has been held at the farm for three years.

Hallowe'en Masked Ball dance music festival not to go ahead at Rosuick Farm on Lizard

Cornwall can look forward to increasingly warm, sunny weather over the next three days. Today will start dry start with light winds and sunny spells and although more clouds will appear as the day goes on, it should stay dry. It will also be feeling warm, with the best of the sunshine likely along the south coast. Clear spells overnight will bring isolated mist or fog patches; low cloud and fog will also be possible along northern and western coasts and hills. Thursday and Friday are likely to become increasingly sunny with temperatures set to rise by a couple of degrees.

Sun set to shine on Cornwall

The driver of the coach which careered into a hedge and struck a wall near Looe resulting in the death of two women and injuries to 48 people has been released on bail. Police said the 57-year-old coach driver had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and has now been released until August 11, pending further enquiries. The coach crashed at Morval yesterday lunchtime, on a steep and winding hill on the approach to Looe. Eight passengers, who were on an Age Concern trip from Exmouth, Devon were taken to hospital. Four have since been released. One woman died at the scene while a second woman was pronounced dead on arrival at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, the Devon and Cornwall force said. Passengers who were not seriously injured were assessed by medics at the scene before returning later to Exmouth to tearful reunions with relatives. Inspector Andrew Hamilton, of Plymouth Serious Collision Unit, said emergency services arrived to find a "horrendous" scene. He said: "On board it was horrendous, passengers had been thrown about. They were very distressed." The 50 day-trippers had been on a visit to Looe when their coach approached a steep stretch of the A387 just before 1pm. The vehicle was taking a different route than usual because of nearby road closures. Locals said the diversion was well sign posted and the alternative route was no steeper. Insp Hamilton said accident experts were working to establish how fast the driver was going or whether mechanical failure played any part in the tragedy. He added: "It appears the coach came down a hill around a series of bends before hitting a hedge. "After the initial impact it had come to a stop about 100 yards away against a wall. It remained upright. "There were approximately 50 people on board, most of them were able to walk off. "13 people were treated on board the coach. One person had died and eight were seriously wounded. "Sadly a second person has died on route to Derriford Hospital. "There were no other vehicles involved. The driver was arrested and taken to Launceston police station to be interviewed. "He was breathalysed and the result was negative." Local councillor Jim Candy denied that the road was an accident black spot, he said: "It is a typical Cornish road. "In some places it narrows so there is no white line but there are no real danger points. "There is no accident history on this road it has been busier than usual because the alternative road into Looe is closed because of works to repair a landslip. "When I heard coaches were using this road I wasn't worried. No road is completely safe but there is no history of accidents here." The coach involved in the crash was a Plaxton 50-seater coach with an 05 registration. Tracy Chudleigh, 46, a local parish councillor, was working in her garden when the runaway coach came to a halt a hundred yards from her house. She looked up to see the windows shattered along the passenger side of the coach and rushed to help. Tracy said: "I heard voices and looked up to see the broken windscreen. I didn't realise how serious the accident was until I came down to direct traffic and saw all the windows shattered along one side. "I spoke to the passengers, they were on a jolly day out to Looe to get fish and chips. "I saw some of the injured, some people were covered in blood, everyone was showered in glass. "The passengers told me the driver hit a tree and then the bank. He's then come down the road and come to a halt. "The driver was very shaken, he was very pale, and obviously in shock. He hardly said anything. "I directed traffic to avoid any further collisions. The emergency services were here ultra quickly. "The whole community pitched in with cups of tea, blankets and water. Everyone rallied around - it was proper Cornish spirit. "This is an extraordinary dangerous road. My next door neighbour's wall has been knocked down countless times. "My husband has been hit by a wing mirror and has had his toes run over. "They see a 60 mph limit here and they assume they can do 60 mph. "We've said before 'do we have to wait for a fatally to get something done about the speed - sadly that's what has now happened." The road reopened to traffic at around 11pm last night. Exeter-based Carmel Coaches, which owns the vehicle, said: "Carmel Coaches extends our deepest sympathies to those involved in today's accident."

Driver bailed after horror crash on A387 at Morval near Looe leaves two dead

CORNWALL opened their Bill Beaumont Cup campaign in emphatic fashion as they ran in ten tries to rout newly promoted North Midlands.

Beaten finalists last year the Black & Gold handed new head coach Graham Dawe an almost perfect start as they look to go one better in this season's competition and the former England hooker declared himself largely pleased with the display.

He said: "The boys started the game well and showed a great attitude and that is all you can ask for really.

"There are a few things to be worked on by myself, Ian Morgan and the coaching team and hopefully we can get the players a bit better."

He added: "We knew that North Midlands were a bit of an unknown quantity but hopefully would be a team we could beat because the other two (in the group) starting with Gloucestershire will be a big mountain for us."

Cornwall were out of the blocks quickly playing down the infamous Recreation Ground slope scoring after just four minutes as Truro wing Lewis Vinnicombe skinned the Midlands defence to race home from half-way for a try under the posts.

Kieran Lewitt converted, added a penalty, and then struck a second conversion after scrum-half Greg Goodfellow had raced in from distance for the second try.

Domination up front yielded two penalty tries before half-time as the North Midlands pack waved the white flag in the scrum but with the game seemingly over as a contest Cornwall were dealt a reality check either side of half-time as the visitors came back to life.

Tries from wing Dave Evans and No8 Drew Harper cut the home lead to 31-15, but the revival was quickly extinguished by turnover possession and hesitant defending. Wings Rhodri McAtee and Tom Notman bagged quick-fire tries and Cornwall were back in control.

The Cornwall pack drove Jamie Salter over the line for try number seven, before Goodfellow was instrumental in both Notman's second try and a well-worked score for Chris Fuca.

Replacement flanker Solomon Dacres scored a late consolation for North Midlands before the home side had the final word when Lewis Patterson barged his way over from close range in added time.

Graham Dawe added: "We will now work on speaking to several players and working on aspects of their game to make them better. All you can do is ask them to turn up with the right attitude, keep their feet on the ground and understand that there are bigger mountains to come.

"We will look to keep the squad the same where possible but were disappointed that we lost Tom Rawlings before this match through injury. He's a big player for us and hopefully will get back into contention for selection."

Scrum-half Greg Goodfellow said: "That was a great start to the campaign. Everyone played well, the forwards were outstanding which made my job easy and I was really happy with that.

"North Midlands weren't a bad side but you can only play what is in front of you. They made us work and not all of our tries came easily. We stuck to our game plan and it came off."

Prop Jamal Ford-Robinson earned plaudits for his first County Championship display for Cornwall and said: "I absolutely loved it out there. I've watched the Black & Gold many times and to finally don the shirt was special.

"There is a real thing in Cornwall about having a strong pack and we pushed hard and earned the two penalty tries. Training has been pretty intense but it paid off here."

Rugby: Cornwall v North Midlands County Championship

SOME 284 runners certainly had to brave the elements on Sunday, with a very strong wind blowing off the Atlantic making the tough Trevornick 10 mile race even tougher.

This multi terrain race, sponsored by Trevornick Holiday Park, Personal Best Running and the National Trust, which doubled as round five of the Cornwall Grand Prix Series supported by Cornwall Glass and Glazing, provided the platform for a superb comeback victory in the Men's competition for Tony Brewer (Mile High) and an equally determined win in the Ladies' race for Zelah Morrall (Cornwall AC).

Race tactics over the steep climbs, fast downhill stretches and constant undulations over Cubert Common and the North Cornwall coastal path, cried out for a cautious first half of the race, which were the tactics Brewer used to his advantage.

Justin Thomas (Cornwall AC) moved into the lead after a couple of miles, with most of the top ten occupied by the yellow and green Cornwall AC vests and the blue and white vests of Mile High.

A team race to savour was certainly in the making.

Brewer caught and soon passed Thomas before the halfway point, with Ceri Whitmore (Cornwall AC) and Cornwall AC's debutant, Paul Smith, running alongside Paul Whear (Carn Runners) and the Mile High pair Andrew Martin and Mitch Weegman in the chasing group.

As the miles ticked by Brewer, who, due to injury, has not raced since the Cornwall Cross Country Championships last November, continued to increase his lead with Thomas now settled into second place, also moving ahead of their pursuers.

Brewer eventually crossed the line well over one minute ahead of Thomas, becoming the sixth different winner of the Men's race in the six years since the inaugural race in 2009.

The real interest lay in the battle for team honours, with Whitmore finishing strongly for his first Grand Prix podium placing, ahead of the rapidly improving Whear (4th), with Martin (5th) and Weegman (6th) being chased down by Smith (7th) and another Cornwall AC man, Steve Wherry (8th), who looked in great form, moving through sensibly after a steady start.

Cornwall AC team captain, Dave Buzza, making his 2014 Grand Prix debut crossed the line in 11th place, followed by a trio of Mile High Runners, Richard Pascoe (12th), Nick Martin (13th) and Aaran Benney (15th), before a great run from Cornwall AC's Jason Webb (16th), secured victory for the defending Grand Prix champions by a narrow five point margin.

Newquay Road Runners finished third, some way behind the top two. The Ladies' race was equally exciting, led out by the An Res Hellys winner Eleanor Davis (Newquay Road Runners), closely followed by Emma Schuck (Hayle Runners) with Cornwall AC's Zelah Morrall in third.

The race was only ever going to be settled between these three leading Ladies and on a downhill stretch approaching the eight mile mark, they were running side by side.

Morrall said afterwards: "I have always been able to relax and stride out going down the hills and this is where I decided to make a move, hoping to open a gap before the final climb at nine miles."

The tactic certainly worked as the Cornwall AC runner crested the top of the final climb, with daylight between her and Schuck, as Davis faded a little in the closing stages.

Morrall came home 17 seconds ahead of the Hayle athlete, with Davis finishing 32 seconds later.

In overall terms, only four race places covered the top three, with Alan Williams (Tamar Trotters) spoiling the party.

Cornwall AC's Ladies won their fourth Grand Prix team race of the year, enjoying a more comfortable victory than the club's Men's team, with Hayle Runners collecting the runners-up prizes and Newquay's Ladies, equalling the success of their Men, finishing third.

Results, see Page 80.

Running: Newquay's Trevornick 10 race attracts nearly 300 runners

IT was a bumper start to the track season for Newquay & Par Athletic Club with an impressive second place in their first ever outing in the British Athletic League on Saturday, followed by a massive win in Division 2 of the South West league.

Having been relegated in the South West League last season the club were looking to bounce back and seized on the opportunity of hosting the opening fixture at Par.

It was soon clear that the host club would take some beating as the points quickly mounted with three wins in the opening 400m hurdles races.

Performance of the day came from Under 17 high jumper Sam Robins, who broke a 27 year old county record by 1cm when he cleared 1.92m to also beat the Division 2 league record.

Sam was one of a number of U17, U20 and Senior athletes who turned out for a second day to help the club in their push for promotion.

The quality was across the age range with the club topping five of the seven age group tables plus the relays.

In the Under 20 and Senior Men's events, Jack Wightman chalked up a hat-trick of Senior Men's wins in 100m, 200m and 800m.

There was a brace of wins for league debutant Michael Shakespear (Discus and Hammer) and Sam Lane De Courtin (800m and High Jump) plus victories for Jay Hill (SM Shot), Corey Cross (400mH), Patrick Channing (200m) and Adam Cox (Triple Jump).

With several of the girls now able to compete at Under 17 and Senior level, there is optimism for the Women's Southern league team to perform well on Saturday at Guildford.

Claudia Carlyon (400mH), Amy Sweet (800m) and Shannon-Mae Watkins (Long Jump) all won for the Seniors. In the U17s, Sian Temple lopped 10 seconds off her 3000m best time and Lily England recorded a season's best for the 800m.

In one of the strongest groups, the Under 17 Men, apart from Sam's record breaking High Jump, Jack Fairbrother won both 100m and 400m Hurdles races, Kieran Madden also notched up a pair of throws wins in Hammer and Discus and Frankie Aldred made his League debut since joining the club with a win in the 3000m.

A third win in the 3000m came from Under 15 Elowen Penfold with Beth Trevail on form for the Pole Vault win.

Another outstanding performance came from Finn Birnie to smash his best 800m with an U15 win in 2m:12.8s. Charlie Parker lowered his 800m time in the Under 13 Boys, one of three wins in this age group, including Tom Randles (200m) and Daniel Couchman (Shot).

Newquay & Par won by over 240 points ahead of the other relegated team, Wimborne with Armada (a joint team of Plymouth, Tavistock and Erme Valley clubs) the other contender for promotion having just missed out last season at the final match.

Running: Win for Newquay & Par in South West league