TRURO police will be ramping up patrols in the city to deal with drunk and disorderly behaviour during the run-up to Christmas.

Extra officers, including PCSOs and volunteer special constables, will be out on the streets to deal with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour.

Truro police's Inspector Mark Richards said traditionally the Friday and Saturday night before Christmas Day were the busiest nights for the city's officers.

"We always get a rise this time of year in alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour," Mr Richards said.

Truro police will also be stepping up its neighbourhood response to deal with shoplifters who believe the season offers easy pickings.

Parents of toddlers in Cornwall have been urged to get their children vaccinated now against the potentially life-threatening illness this winter.

Public health chiefs have said parents should get their toddlers vaccinated against flu immediately to protect them from the illness and prevent it from spreading to other members of the family.

Flu can be nasty for healthy under-fives who are more likely to be admitted to hospital with it than any other age group- and five times more likely than 65-year-olds.

Flu symptoms include a fever, cough, headache, aching muscles and tiredness.

A free nasal spray flu vaccine is available for two, three and four-year-olds from their GP.

However, so far this winter, only one in five aged between two and four years-old have been immunised.

Dr Alison MacKenzie, lead consultant in Public Health for screening and

Immunisation at Public Health England and the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS England Area Team, said: "Flu can be really nasty for toddlers, leading to time off nursery which has a big impact on mums and dads and sometimes even a stay in hospital.

"They also spread the virus easily and often pass flu to grandparents and other relatives who can become very ill, fast.

"Giving two, three and four year olds the free nasal spray really is in everyone's interests if you want to help avoid a miserable winter for all the family."

Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at Public Health England, said: "People with certain long-term health conditions are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu and sadly, many end up in hospital. The best way people can protect themselves from flu is to take up the offer of free vaccination from their GP as soon as it becomes available.

"It's not too late to get vaccinated, and we urge anyone who is eligible but hasn't yet received their free flu vaccination to contact their GP.

The NHS offers flu vaccination free to all people who are at particular risk from the more serious effects of flu:

Each winter hundreds of thousands of people see their GP and tens of thousands are hospitalised because of flu.

Last winter, Public Health England received reports of 904 people admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units with laboratory-confirmed flu and 98 deaths.

This figure doesn't account for the many deaths where flu is not recognised or reported – estimates of the annual number of deaths attributable to flu range from 4 to 14,000 per year, with an average of around 8,000 per year.

Since 2013, two and three-year-olds have been eligible for flu vaccination with a newly available nasal spray, and this year the spray is also being offered to four-year-olds.

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION: Truro City v Hereford Utd (3pm).

FA VASE, Third round (3pm): Buckland Athletic v Bodmin Town; St Austell v Verwood Town.

CORNWALL SENIOR CUP, Second round (2pm): Bude Town v Camelford; Dobwalls v Porthleven; Fowey United v Launceston; Godolphin Atlantic v St Agnes; Helston Athletic v Penryn Athletic; Millbrook v Callington Town; Mullion v Mousehole; Penzance v Wadebridge Town; Perranporth v Liskeard Athletic; Probus v St Blazey; Saltash United v Illogan RBL; Sticker v Wendron United; Torpoint Athletic v Hayle.

CARLSBERG SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE

Premier Division (3pm): Cullompton Rgs v Ivybridge Tn; Plymouth Parkway v Bovey Tracey; Stoke Gabriel v Elburton Villa (2.15).

CORNISH GUARDIAN EAST CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier Division (2.30pm): Morwenstow v Liskeard Ath; Polperro v Launceston; St Dominick v Torpoint Ath; St Teath v Callington Tn; Tavistock v Bere Alston Utd.

cornishguardian.co.uk Division One (2.30pm): Lanreath v Holsworthy; Mevagissey v St Austell; Pensilva v Camelford; St Blazey v Roche; St Stephens Borough v Wadebridge Tn.

Rowett Insurance League Cup, second round (2pm): Elburton Villa v Bodmin Tn; Edgcumbe v Bude Tn.

JOLLY'S CORNWALL COMBINATION (2.30pm): Goonhavern Ath v Helston; Ludgvan v Illogan; RNAS Culdrose v St Just; St Day v Falmouth Tn; St Ives Tn v Penryn Ath; Troon v Redruth Utd.

JJ JONES BUILDERS DUCHY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

Premier Division: Looe Tn v Padstow Utd; North Petherwin v Lostwithiel; Pelynt v St Columb Major; St Newlyn East v St Dominick; St Stephen v Saltash Utd.

Division One: Edgcumbe v Altarnun; Foxhole Stars v AFC Bodmin; Grampound v St Minver; Premier Sixes v LC Phoenix; St Cleer v Godolphin Atlantic; St Mawgan v Biscovey.

Division Two: Callington Tn v Gerrans & St Mawes Utd; Calstock v Holywell & Cubert Ath; Gunnislake v Lifton; St Dennis v Sticker; St Neot v North Hill.

Division Three: Boscastle v St Stephen; Gorran v Tintagel; Lanivet Inn v Grampound; Queens Rgs v Veryan; St Breward v North Petherwin.

Division Four: Delabole Utd v Pelynt; High Street v Mevagissey; Southgate Seniors v Tregehan Mills; St Merryn v Lanreath; St Minver v Standard Inn; Wadebridge Tn v Godolphin Atlantic.

Division Five: Kilkhampton v Pensilva; Padstow Utd v St Teath; Real Saltash v St Newlyn East; Roche v St Dennis; Saltash Utd v Kilkhampton; Week St Mary v St Mawgan.

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE (2.30pm):

Premier Division: Chacewater v Constantine; Gwinear Churchtown v Carharrack; Mawnan v Holman SC; St Buryan v Threemilestone; St Keverne v Mousehole; West Cornwall v St Day.

Division One: Camborne SoM v Lizard Argyle; Hayle v Stithians; Praze-an-Beeble v Perranporth; RNAS Culdrose v St Ives Tn; Rosudgeon v Newlyn Non-Ath; Trevenson Utd v Halsetown; Wendron Utd v St Agnes.

Division Two: Frogpool & Cusgarne v St Just; Marazion Blues v St Buryan; Pendeen Rovers v Trispen; Penryn Ath v Chacewater; Storm v Goonhavern Ath.

Division Three: Camborne Park v Newquay; Cury v Marazion Blues; Holman SC v Mawnan; St Day v Helston Ath; Wendron Utd v West Cornwall.

Division Four: Lizard Argyle v Gulval; Mabe v St Ives Mariners; Madron v Gwinear Churchtown; Mousehole v Ludgvan; Newlyn Non-Ath v Troon; Penwith Exiles v Frogpool & Cusgarne; Praze-an-Beeble v Falmouth Tn.

Division Five: Camborne Ath v Wendron Utd; Falmouth DC v Trevenson Utd; Newbridge Ath v Newlyn Lions; Newquay v Storm; Railway Locomotiv v Camborne Tn; St Erme v Mabe; Stithians v Probus.

RUGBY

Saturday:

British & Irish Cup, Pool Four (3pm): Cornish Pirates v Doncaster Knights.

National League Two South: Chinnor v Redruth; Cornish All Blacks v Canterbury.

Tribute South West One (West): Camborne v Bideford; St Austell v Avonmouth Old Boys.

Tribute Western Counties (West): Penryn v Tavistock; Sidmouth v Wellington; Truro v Devonport Services; Wadebridge Camels v St Ives.

Tribute Cornwall & Devon League: Bude v Pirates Amateurs; Honiton v Hayle; Liskeard-Looe v Falmouth; Saltash v Bodmin.

Tribute Cornwall One: Camborne SoM v Newquay Hornets; Helston v Illogan Park; Stithians v Perranporth; Veor v Roseland.

Tribute Cornwall Two: Camelford v Redruth Albany; Lankelly-Fowey v Lanner; St Just v St Agnes.

* Tweet your scores: Every Saturday we are running a latest scores service on our website and on twitter and you can join in by tweeting your team's latest scores and put #cornwallscores at the end of your tweets.

* Follow us on Twitter: @SportCornwall

* Read more: For match reports, pictures and reaction from the top weekend action, pick up a copy of next week's Cornishman, Cornish Guardian and West Briton.

The Cornish Pasty is set to be given a new name - in China.

The iconic dish has been chosen to star in 'GREAT Names for GREAT Britain', a new marketing campaign launched by national tourism agency VisitBritain.

The campaign has chosen 101 places and points of interest from across the UK which do not yet have a Chinese name for them, and is asking the public to come up with suggestions.

Other Cornish towns and attractions to make the list were Padstow, Land's End, St Michael's Mount, Minack Theatre and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

In China it is popular to give Chinese names to favourite celebrities, places and foods - for example, British actor and Sherlock Holmes star, Benedict Cumberbatch, has been affectionately named 'Curly Fu' by his Chinese fans.

The six chosen Cornish attractions were selected as being of particular interest to Chinese people, yet currently without a Chinese name.

The 101 British landmarks cover a wide range of locations and traditions across Britain and will be released in groups on social media over the next ten weeks. VisitBritain will use a variety of online and offline advertising, social and digital media and media relations to invite people in China to give 'GREAT Names for GREAT Britain'.

The campaign hopes to attract more visitors from the rapidly-growing tourism Chinese market and encourage them to travel further afield around Britain. In 2013 Britain welcomed 196,000 visits from China (up 10% on 2012), which contributed £492 million to the UK's economy (up 64% on 2012). Chinese tourists spend an average of £2,508 per visit compared to the overall average spend of £640 per visit.

Joss Croft, Marketing Director at VisitBritain said: "Naming is very popular in China and this is a fun way of getting Chinese people to think about and describe places and experiences across Britain, especially as some of the British names are difficult to translate or pronounce in Chinese.

"This campaign will raise the profile of Cornwall among Chinese consumers and drive increased visits from this valuable tourism market. We would love local communities to get behind the campaign and suggest other places and locations to rename via our hashtag #greatnames."

The new Chinese names for the Cornish pasty, Padstow, Land's End, St Michael's Mount, Minack Theatre and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are due to be unveiled in March next year. 

TRURO police have branded a man who sent offensive photographs and social media posts to an Asian community centre near Truro a "vile, reprehensible bigot".

Eric King smeared dog excrement on images depicting the prophet Mohammed having intercourse with a pig and of a naked woman squatting on an Islamic State flag with the letters "IS" scrawled across her buttocks and posted them to Tipu Choudhury, general secretary of the Cornwall Islamic Community Centre at Carnon Downs.

King, aged 60, from Wheal Eliza Close, St Austell, also posted messages on the community centre's Facebook page telling members to "get out of the country" and calling Islam "evil".

At Truro Magistrates' Court he admitted sending two indecent or grossly offensive messages to the centre via its Facebook page and sending an indecent or grossly offensive letter to Mr Choudhury.

The court heard King, who has previous convictions for assaulting a police officer and for harassment, thought the conversion of the Quenchwell Methodist Chapel into the Islamic centre in 2009 was "sacrilege to our god", and his anger had been inflamed by seeing videos of beheadings and mass murders carried out by Islamic State terrorists.

In a statement which was read out to the court by his solicitor Paul Gallagher, King said he "was and has always been a Christian" and that other religions did not bother him "unless they cross a line and preach hatred against Christianity as Muslims have started to do".

Mr Gallagher added that King "had no voice" and Facebook had allowed him "the opportunity to say he did not like what they [the Islamic Centre] had done".

Condemned

Speaking after the hearing, Truro police inspector Mark Richards condemned King's action.

He said Truro police officers were shown the letter and quickly identified King as the man responsible for the offensive mail and social media posts.

Mr Richards said: "The police and any right-minded individual should condemn entirely the sending of such material by post contaminated with dog faeces.

"The postings that he put on social media are nothing more than the ramblings of a vile, reprehensible bigot.

"Everybody has the right to live their life in a peaceful manner without fear."

Mr Choudhury said offensive post had occasionally been sent to the community centre before and were usually ignored.

He said: "We have a committee and we try to deal with things as quietly as possible, otherwise it puts people on edge, but because Mr King lives nearby we didn't know what he might do, so it was quite worrying.

"I also understand that he had no regrets or remorse about what he did, but unfortunately some people have mindsets like that and there's nothing you can do."

King has said he will limit his comments on Facebook in the future.

Magistrates adjourned King's case until December 16 pending a full probation report.

He was bailed on the condition that he not use any social networking site to pass abusive, threatening or insulting messages, nor contact anyone associated with the community centre, nor go to the centre.

A FAMILY business which uses gold cast with Cornish tin from a Victorian shipwreck is celebrating several important milestones.

Jewellers Wearnes, which has shops in Helston and Falmouth, will be 125 years old next year.

It has been in Meneage Street in Helston for 100 years and one of its staff recently celebrated her 40th year with the company.

The business is run by Sarah Corbridge – the great granddaughter of its founder William Wearne – and her husband Adam.

She has invented an alloy of gold and Cornish tin, using it to make one of the ranges of jewellery.

The tin was recovered from the wreck of a steamer, the SS Liverpool, which sank off Anglesey in 1865.

Mrs Corbridge said: "My great-grandfather started the businesses

repairing watches in his parent's kitchen in Camborne. I think he was a real businessman and an entrepreneur. I do feel a sense of responsibility for the business but its an enjoyable trade to be in. I enjoy being creative."

William Wearne founded the business in 1890 and opened his first shop in Camborne around 1894.

Mrs Corbridge added: "The Helston shop was opened in 1914 and we've been here ever since.

"We have people coming back saying things like how they bought their engagement ring here in 1935.

"We also get families where generations have been our customers.

"We still have our own watchmaker, David Piper, who did his apprenticeship with my grandfather.

"We closed the shop in Camborne, because of footfall, in 2012, and it was then we moved to Falmouth, where we now have a workshop."

She said it was unusual to find a high street jewellers which still creates its own bespoke items.

Keeping the family tradition alive, the couple's daughter Claudia, 18, helps design jewellery between her studies in fashion and design at Falmouth.

Wearnes employs 14 staff and Ruth Drew, who works in the Helston shop, was recently thrown a surprise party with former staff and friends to celebrate her 40 years with the business.

CHOCOLATE crafted by an artisan Cornish wedding cake maker has been praised as some of the best in the world.

It was announced this week that Nicky Grant, from Helston, scooped a silver award at a competition called the International Chocolate Awards.

Her ginger and fennel fresh Cornish cream cut ganache chocolate beat off competition from chocolatiers from around the globe.

Mrs Grant said: "This competition is aimed at the artisan, small-scale chocolate, which uses really fresh ingredients and no preservatives or additives. It's all about flavour and taste. It's a real achievement for me as there weren't many winners from the UK, only four I think."

Mrs Grant was given the award for her entry in the mixed ganaches and truffles category.

She said: "I started life as a graphic designer many years ago and it just happened to be chance that I did a class in sugar craft. That was in 1995 and then I met my husband and we ended up moved to Cornwall.

"I thought, 'I don't want to commute to London any more' and started making wedding cakes instead."

Mrs Grant said she soon found a niche in bespoke chocolate wedding cakes.

"The chocolate side of things struck me as a way of creating a truly beautiful cake – more impressive and tastier.

"The brides seem to be most impressed with that. I was then asked to make wedding favours and I've been making those and the cakes since 2003."

She also creates chocolate sculptures and in the case of this award, fresh chocolates too.

Mrs Grant said she sources her ingredients from around the world and includes ethically fair trade chocolate from Venezuela and plantation chocolates from Peru and Trinidad.

MYSTERY surrounds the deaths of several dogs since the summer – prompting fears they may have been poisoned or eaten contaminated food.

Some residents believe the deaths in The Lizard could be linked, but others admit it could be a coincidence.

Steve Parker, whose dog Bramble was severely unwell but recovered, said: "There has been a spate of dogs dying in The Lizard village. We know of seven, possibly eight, that have died and others that have been very unwell since the summer.

"They've been healthy dogs but died very quickly and many have been sick.

"It could just be natural causes or it could be something else. I've never heard of anything like this before.

"It's difficult to say what could be causing it. It's a distinct possibility that it's something in the watercourse or sprayed on fields. It remains to be seen.

"If it was something to do with the land, would we even be aware of it?"

Jane Grierson's dog, 12-year-old Belgian shepherd Beauty, died suddenly in July.

She said: "I'd be very careful about saying there was a dog poisoner. I am sure we would have heard something if there was some weirdo out there, but there's something not right here.

"When it was just three or four dogs, you don't really think there's anything going on, but now we've got at least six if not eight dead dogs, I am not so sure.

"The dogs have been sick and have been throwing up.

"Our dog died in July. She was sick on the Sunday morning. She drank some water and she followed us around, and on the Monday she was badly sick again.

"On the Monday, I took her to the vets and they said she was dehydrated. They put her on a drip and asked if we wanted to take or home or leave her in overnight – it didn't seem that serious but two hours later, the vet phoned and said she'd died.

"We try to be careful about what she eats but when we go for walks on the coast paths she can go off the lead and dogs are scavengers.

"One of the theories is that it could be some kind of disease.

"I know of one owner who asked for an autopsy of his dog but no results have come back yet. Most people don't have that because it's so expensive."

Paul Hayes let his two dogs out for a run in the garden in the morning but found one of them, called Dave, had suddenly collapsed.

"I saw he was not moving or breathing and I realised he had just died," he said.

"I looked around for a dead rat or something but couldn't see anything. Perhaps he'd eaten it.

"Our other dog was OK. Dave was healthy and fit and only 7 years old.

"He was a most beautiful dog. It breaks my heart really."

Mr Hayes was unable to account for his dog's sudden death.

Paul Riley, director of Head and Head Veterinary Practice in Helston said: "I have heard people talking about this but my colleagues and I are not aware of any definite cluster of unexplained deaths from that area.

"We will be on the lookout for any unusual or unexplained cases from that area."

The police said they were not aware of any issues relating to dogs dying in the area.

INITIAL designs for some kind of town centre improvement in Helston will be on public display today and tomorrow.

The sketches will be at Oliver and Son's furniture shop in Coinagehall Street between 8am and 6.30pm today and until 1pm on Saturday.

The designs have been drawn up by Truro-based landscape architects MeiLoci.

The town council has £250,000 to spend, with money handed over by Tesco and Sainsbury's as a condition of planning consent to build or expand their stores.

The architects are being asked to look at three main areas for possible development as well as problems caused by traffic: the Trengrouse Way car park and Horse and Jockey Lane; the area around the Guildhall; and the possibility of linking the access to the Penrose estate and the bottom of Coinagehall Street. Other aspects being considered include gateways to the town, pedestrian areas and civic spaces.

Helston town council's regeneration officer, Martin Searle, said: "This will provide the first opportunity to view and comment on the initial designs, [which] have been based on the results of a public consultation carried out by the town council. The drop-in sessions will be really informal, and anybody with an interest is encouraged to call in."

He said a final plan would be chosen by February or March.

Mayor Mike Thomas said: "I'm delighted that the design team is making good progress with plans and sketches. The drop-in sessions will provide a great opportunity for local people and businesses to contribute to the design process and ensure the final proposals are distinctive to Helston."

Rob Williams, who owns the JC Williams shop and is a member of the project board, said enhanced public areas could make a significant contribution to revitalising the town centre and he hoped the drop-in sessions will be well attended, particularly by fellow traders and their employees.

WITH the good weather work has been going on apace to repair damage to the harbour at Mullion Cove.

The two Victorian piers were heavily damaged in last winter's storms.

Workmen are now preparing them to withstand the worst that any bad weather this winter can bring.

The National Trust, which owns the harbour, had mooted the possibility of not repairing the harbour and instead letting the cove revert to its natural state.

It would mean the listed structure would have to be declassified.

However, after a survey of the breakwaters was completed earlier this year the trust agreed to complete the repair work, estimated to cost £250,000.

The heavy seas breaking over the west pier had caused damage to the stonework and swept off the top paving, but the worst damage was inflicted to the face of the south pier, which had only been repaired in recent years.

The National Trust has said it is satisfied with the speed of the repairs.

Robert Felce, who has studied the history of the cove, said he was pleased to see the work finally getting on before the wintry weather set in.

He said: "The current round of repairs, which has been assisted by the helpful weather conditions and an efficient workforce has, to the watching layman, so far used methods and materials which have not apparently been tried here before.

"Safety is certainly taken very seriously by the work team."

The National Trust surveyed the piers in 2005, looking at the likely impact of sea level rises or increasing storm damage.

It was agreed then that the trust would continue to repair the walls unless they were significant damaged.

A ROOT-and-branch review of Camborne Town Council has revealed it to be at "a crossroads", according to one town councillor.

Members of Camborne Town Council met to discuss the findings of the review and almost unanimously supported every recommendation put forward.

The review was the idea Councillor Adam Crickett, whose original request was turned down.

Town councillor Jude Robinson said: "Camborne Town Council is at a crossroads and we are looking to people in the town to let us know what sort of town council they want for the future.

"I think the crucial question is whether the council will in the future be a council that does more for our community or whether it will continue as it is – fairly peripheral to the town in many ways. At present, the council delivers very few services and also has an extremely low precept.

"We will also start considering a new home for the council. At present our offices are inadequate, and as Cornwall Council is disposing of assets, the building may be under consideration for sale."

The report states that although the council does acquit itself well generally, there is an absence of any form of corporate plan or vision statement, and that prevents it from establishing the type of council it wants to be and where its focus in the community should lie. It says that these factors have combined to give Camborne Town Council a low profile in the town.

Recommendations included a new streamlined system of committees and meetings, a clearer system of delegation, the opening of negotiations with Cornwall Council over services and assets, the resumption of a formal membership on the Business Improvement District Camborne board and the hiring of a new member of staff to work with town clerk Amanda Mugford.

Camborne Town Council has identified parks and open spaces, car parks and the library as priority services to protect and discuss with Cornwall Council.

Three criminals have been ordered to pay back more than £150,000 from growing cannabis, deception and money laundering.

The cash was confiscated after three successful cases brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Around £29,000 has been returned to the force for use in crime investigation or prevention.

On November 7 a confiscation order was made against Paul Pitchell, aged 47, following his conviction for the production of cannabis.

This followed the execution of a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at his home in Goonhavern when more than 200 cannabis plants were seized.

During the investigation it was established that he owned a property which he subsequently sold.

As a result the proceeds of the sale totalling £52,565 were restrained and the court made a confiscation order for this amount.

In February 2013 police attended a property in Fernhill Road, Newquay following a report of water running out of the front door.

On attendance the premises were locked but police obtained access and officers discovered the upstairs of the premises turned over to the growing of cannabis, using equipment including lights, fans, transformers and timers. The water had been left on and a flood had occurred.

Robert Dewick was identified as the owner and was later interviewed when he stated he was growing the plants for his own use.

He maintained that money in his possession in the region of £70,000 was the proceeds of his business in selling hydroponic equipment.

A restraint order under the proceeds of Crime Act was obtained in order to preserve the money for future confiscation.

On August 1, following a court hearing Dewick, aged 35, was convicted of production of cannabis and he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.

Following this confiscation, proceedings took place and on November 29 a confiscation order was made by Truro Crown Court in respect of Dewick for the sum of £67,448.

In 2007 Marc Rebeiro, aged 35, from Penzance, was convicted of 12 offences of deception and two offences of money laundering.

Confiscation proceedings followed and his benefit was identified as £35,200. However at that time his only available assets were £173. A confiscation order was made in those terms and the £173 was paid.

On September 8 police came into possession of additional information identifying that Rebeiro was now in possession of significant assets held in the form a car, a property and money in bank accounts.

A further hearing to revisit the original confiscation was held at Truro Crown Court on Monday and a new and updated confiscation order was made and £35,026 was seized.

Lynn Manaton, a financial investigator based in Cornwall said: "These cases highlight the successful work of the Financial Investigation team and the determination wherever possible to seize the assets of criminals, which in some cases are considerable, and prevent them from benefiting from their criminal activity."

The rail industry has announced rail fares will go up again in January.

But the increase, from January 2, will be the lowest in five years.

The average rail journey will go up by 2.2 per cent.

The industry figure covers all fares, not just season tickets and other regulated fares.

Regulated fares - about half the total - have increased by more than the rate of inflation in most years since 2004.

These fares include season tickets, 'anytime' single tickets around major cities, and off-peak inter-city return tickets.

In September, the government said regulated rail fare rises would be pegged to July's measure of Retail Price (RPI) inflation rather than capped at RPI plus 1 per cent.

The chancellor confirmed on Wednesday 's Autumn Statement that regulated fares will rise by July's RPI figure of 2.5 per cent.

Commuters travelling from Falmouth to Truro are experiencing delays this morning due to a broken down vehicle.

The A39 at Arch Hill on the outskirts of Truro is partially blocked in both directions.

The disruption is causing delays between the A390 at Green Lane in Truro and Holywell Road, Playing Place.

The Cornish Pirates play their final home game of 2014 when they take on unbeaten Pool 4 leaders Doncaster Knights in the British & Irish Cup on Saturday (3pm).

With just one more pool game remaining after this weekend's matches, the Knights are on 19 points, with the Pirates second on 12, followed by Bedford Blues and and Cross Keys, who are on seven each.

A fifth straight victory would guarantee Doncaster a presence in the quarter-final draw for only the second time in their history

Pirates won 24-22 when the sides met in the league on October 4, while the Knights gained revenge with a 29-25 victory in the cup a fortnight later. 

If beaten, Pirates still have a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages as one of the best runners-up.

Named to make his debut for the Pirates this weekend is recently signed Chilean international Francisco Deformes.

He and fellow prop Jack Andrew are changes in the pack from the one that started in the Cup win at Cross Keys, while in the backs there are also just two changes whereby Laurence May and Tom Kessell will form the half-back pairing.

For Doncaster director of rugby  Clive Griffiths makes six changes to the Knights starting XV that defeated Bedford Blues last Friday evening.

There is a complete overhaul in the half backs where Bruno Bravo returns to the staring XV to play inside debutant fly half Piers Francis.

The pair replaces Tomasi Palu and Paul Roberts who are both included on the bench. Elsewhere Rhys Williams returns from Welford Road and makes his second start of the season for the Knights, Williams joins fellow Tiger George Catchpole who continues at outside centre.

The rest of the backline is unchanged with Bevon Armitage at 12 Dougie Flockhart on the left wing and Paul Jarvis at full back.

Upfront another player makes his Knights debut as tight head WillGriff John starts in the three jersey.

The Welshman accompanies Richard List and Ben Hunter in the front row, behind them it is an all Canadian affair as Tyler Hotson swaps with Matt Challinor to start alongside countryman Jon Phelan. Phil Eggleshaw is sole change in the back row, he switches with Will Foden at loose forward who takes his place amongst the replacements.

Colin Quigley, Jack Bergmanas and Villiame Veikoso ensure the playing staff have a full compliment of front row replacements to draw from and will hope to make an impact from the subs bench.

CORNISH PIRATES: 15 Max Bodilly, 14 Luke Jones, 13 Alex Dancer, 12 Rheon James, 11 Craig Holland, 10 Laurence May, 9 Tom Kessell; 1 Jack Andrew, 2 Rob Elloway, 3 Francisco Deformes, 4 Will Carrick Smith, 5 Darren Barry (capt), 6 Joel Conlon, 7 Joe Atkinson, 8 Matt Bolwell.

Replacements: 16 Dean Brooker, 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18 Alan Paver, 19 Chris Morgan, 20 Gavin Cattle, 21 Oliver Snook, 22 Tom Henderson.

DONCASTER KNIGHTS: 15 Paul Jarvis, 14 Dougie Flockhart, 13 George Catchpole, 12 Bevon Armitage, 11 Rhys Williams, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Bruno Bravo, 1 Richard List, 2 Ben Hunter, 3 WillGriff John, 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Jon Phelan, 6 Phil Eggleshaw, 7 Michael Hills (capt), 8 Alex Shaw

Replacements: 16 Colin Quigley, 17 Villiame Veikoso, 18 Matt Challinor, 19 Jack Bergmanas, 20 Will Foden, 21 Tomasi Palu, 22 Paul Roberts.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)

A CHILDREN'S hospice in Cornwall will be one of the beneficiaries of the winning X Factor single it has been revealed.

Children's Hospice South West, which operates the Little Harbour Hospice near St Austell, has been named as one of the charities which will receive some of the proceeds from the single which is almost certain to top the charts.

X Factor supremo and judge Simon Cowell announced that 100% of the profits from every CD single, download and streaming of the track will go to Together for Short Lives a charity which has a partnership with Children's Hospice South West.

Simon Cowell said: "I have worked with this charity for many years and I'm delighted that The X Factor' winner's single sales will help families who are going through unthinkably difficult times. Together for Short Lives is such an inspiring and important charity which supports children all over the country. The money we hope to raise will really make a difference."

The song - which has not been unveiled as yet - will be performed live by the two X Factor finalists and will be released the day after the winner is crowned on December 14.

Eddie Farwell, chief executive of Children's Hospice South West said: "This is great news for providers of children's hospice services across the UK. We're extremely pleased that our three hospices in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, which provide support for the families and children throughout the South West, will also benefit."

The single will be the seventh charity release from The X Factor and the third winner's single with proceeds going to charity following Sam Bailey's number 1 hit release 'Skyscraper' and James Arthur's million-selling release 'Impossible in 2012. In 2011 the finalists recorded the cover for the Rose Royce classic 'Wishing On A Star'. Before that came David Bowie's 'Heroes' (2010), Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone' (2009) which supported Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and 'Hero' (2008) for Help For Heroes charity.

Elton John and his band will visit the Eden Project on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 to perform at the Eden Sessions as part of his European tour. This will be Elton's first performance in Cornwall for 30 years.

The tour will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career, including a selection of songs from his highly-acclaimed album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Deluxe Edition.

Elton John's band includes original member Nigel Olsson on drums, as well as Davey Johnstone on guitar, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.

Elton said: "I am very pleased that we will be able to fit the Eden Project into our tour schedule next year. The last time I played the Cornwall area was in 1985 and that was just too long ago! My band and I have been enjoying playing summer festivals the past couple of years, and we expect great things from this one as well. It promises to be a fantastic time."

Eden co-founder Sir Tim Smit said today: "Wow - what a Christmas present to be able to say that a man who shaped the soundtrack to so many lives and who is genuinely worthy of the title National Treasure, global superstar, and all those other good words is coming to play a living theatre that we believe looks as if it was designed with him in mind.

"This promises to be a summer night that will burn itself into our memory and the intimacy of the setting will make it unforgettable. To hear possibly the greatest showman in the world perform his fabulous catalogue in the best outdoor arena in the world might make you believe you'd died and gone to Eden!"

Tickets go on sale to the public Friday December 12 at 4pm. Call 01726 811972 for tickets or visit www.edensessions.com for more information.

Undeniably one of the most acclaimed and adored artists of all time, Elton's spectacular stage shows are sought after by audiences worldwide. Since his career began in 1969 he has played more than 3,500 concerts in over 80 countries.

Elton is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 37 gold and 27 multi-platinum albums as well as 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, and he has sold more than 250 million records worldwide. Elton holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, Candle in the Wind 1997, which sold 33 million copies. He has also written the music for stage and screen successes Billy Elliot: The Musical, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, and The Lion King, which was recently named the highest-grossing stage show or film release in the world.

Among the many awards and honours bestowed upon him are five Grammys, a Grammy Legend award, a Tony and and Oscar, a Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award, 12 Ivor Novello Awards and a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charitable services". Elton has recently been named the first recipient of the BRITs Icon Award, which recognises the very highest level of British music achievement, presented only to iconic artists whose writing, recording and performances set them apart as having made a lasting impact on the nation's culture.

Full Event Ticket Details:

The Eden Sessions enter their fourteenth year in 2015 following an acclaimed series of shows last year, including a double-header by Mancunian indie legends Elbow, and headline shows by pop superstar Ellie Goulding and rock titans Pixies.

The Eden Sessions Inside Track club returns for the 2015 season with members getting a guaranteed pair of tickets to each show. Inside Track memberships are available now and cost £15.

People who buy Inside Track membership before 9am on Friday December 19 2014 will automatically be entered into the prize draw to win a season pass of two tickets for each of the Eden Sessions in 2015. To buy Inside Track membership, see www.edensessions.com or call 01726 811972.

Tickets to the Elton John Eden Session cost £65 plus £5 booking fee and go on sale to Inside Track members at midday today (Friday December 5), and on general sale at 4pm on Friday December 12.

For more information, see www.edensessions.com. To buy tickets, call 01726 811972.

A group of entrepreneurial students from Richard Lander School, Truro, have set up company Rocky & Co. and launched their new product, a creative kit for children, Rock Monsters, just in time for Christmas. 

The students are taking part in the national business skills programme Young Enterprise and will be at the Christmas Trade Fair in Truro this Sunday  selling the new product.

The business leaders of the future have been working hard on developing their product idea since September. A designer at Rocky & Co, Alicia Khalil, said: "As soon as we started it was clear that we needed to make quick but well thought out decisions - we had so many product ideas we did not know which one to choose.

"We eventually decided to go with a creative kit for children to make and create their own rock monsters. Our aim is to 'bring a rock to life'. At Rocky & Co we think that it is important for children to be creative and have fun doing something that will let them unleash their creativity."

Commenting on the experience so far managing director of Rocky & Co, Oscar Davies, said: "Our Young Enterprise company has had a great experience so far and our business skills have improved dramatically. Everyone has pulled their weight and this is what inevitably brought our product to completion.

"Our communication has also improved - we started by working in different groups but soon found we worked better all together."

While designing the product the company has developed its digital presence, which it recognises is vital in the success of any company. It has a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account as well as online selling accounts with eBay and Amazon. A new website is also being developed.

The Central Lead at Richard Lander, Mrs Ford, said: "The group has been so enthusiastic and dedicated right from the start – they've been listening closely to their business advisors from Wild Card PR and Royal Bank of Scotland and even getting further advice from local businesses including Dash."

The company is now focussing on developing its product and spreading the word so its business can expand - a goal the whole team is dedicated to.

For more information or to buy your first Rock Monsters kit pop along to the Fair on the piazza in Truro on Sunday, 10.30am to 3pm or e-mail TheRockyAndCo@gmail.com

A team of students from Richard Lander School in Truro are gearing up to tell the local community about a new product concept they've devised from scratch.

Team kNotBox, which is made up of students all aged 14 to 15, are in the business development stages of creating a collection of fun and bizarre games.

The first product to be launched is a board game called kNot a Bored Game.The aim of the game is to win and to cheat in as many ways possible; the game has been designed to draw out the mischievous side of everyone.

A number of school groups across Cornwall are currently taking part in Young Enterprise, a nationwide initiative aimed at helping inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise. Business volunteers from Cornish businesses are supporting the teams in their business journeys.

Teams taking part have to do everything from raising the initial share capital and designing and making their product or service through to selling directly to customers at specially organised trade fairs and ultimately winding up the firm and paying their taxes.

Tegan Shipp, a member of the kNotBox team, said: "When we first signed up for the Young Enterprise competition we expected to gain skills in business but we have gained so much more than that. We've all grown our confidence in leadership, teamwork, business skills and more. Within our team we're discovering how to build a business and not only work for our product, but strive for success with it."

Tegan added: "Playing games is typically filled with arguments over who has cheated or lied. That is what makes 'kNot a Bored Game' stand out from the crowd and in the nicest way possible cheating is the whole point. Forget boring, argument filled board games, with kNot a Bored Game, it's packed with laughter, enjoyment, and endless amounts of disobedient fun!"

Steve Mulcahy, Richard Lander head teacher, said: "Energy, vitality, and tons of laughs – pretty much sums up The kNotBox Range and its team! A board game for everyone and a product for the future."

The kNotBox team will be exhibiting on Lemon Quay on Sunday December 7 as part of the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fair.

For more information about The kNot Box Range, please follow on Twitter @kNotBoxYE

STAFF working for a private firm at Cornwall's main hospital have raised concerns that they will not be paid overtime for the second month running.

Some Mitie workers at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust fear that they will not be paid for the extra hours that have worked before Christmas.

Bosses at the hospital took the decision to outsource 600 jobs, including cleaning, catering and portering, to Mitie who took over the contract in October.

One member of the hotel services staff, who did not want to be named, said people were "very upset" after learning they had not been paid for working overtime.

He said: "We expected teething problems; last month nobody was paid overtime and for some members of staff there was a problem with their basic wage.

"But we were promised that this had been resolved and now it appears to have happened again.

"For a lot of people their overtime will be in the double figures because Mitie have not recruited enough staff and so existing staff are working twelve hour shifts instead of eight.

Staff trying to get answers to their questions have been told the issue can only be resolved by the firm's Bristol payroll team, he said.

"People are leaving work in tears. People make plans and bank on that money. They have no faith at all in Mitie and they are now assuming that they will not get paid before Christmas which will ruin people's plans", he added.

Confusion had been caused because Mitie paid wages differently to the hospital, said Stuart Roden, from the Unison union.

He said Unison was aware of some issues but would not be sure of the extent until after the weekend when all staff had received their wage slips.

"We are working with Mitie to try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible and ensure that no-one is out of pocket certainly for Christmas and hopefully by next week."

John Telling, Mitie's corporate affairs director, said: "We are aware of four people whose overtime payments were not correct.

"They will be receiving the additional amounts in their bank accounts on Monday. We would like to apologise to them for the errors."

He said members of the firm's HR team had been in the site today (Friday) and would be back in Monday to help staff with any queries they had over their wages this month.

"If there any other incidences they will be rectified promptly next week", he added.