Kimberley Park Road in Falmouth is currently closed after a vehicle collided with a wall.

Police and the a fire crew on are the scene and the vehicle has yet to be recovered.

The incident happened at the corner of Kimberley Park Road and Park Hill.

No more details are known about the incident at this time.

Multi million pound plans for a new spa and wellness resort on the grounds of the former Falmouth Beach Hotel have been approved this week.

Cornwall Council has given the go ahead to Nigel Carpenter of St Michael's Hotel Spa Resort for his £30 million scheme.

The project, which is hoped will be under construction by November next year, will create more than 90 new jobs and safeguard a further 115.

Mr Carpenter said: "I am very grateful to everyone for the overwhelming support we have received for this scheme.

"Falmouth really got behind it, which just shows what a positive, forward looking community we have here.

"Constructive criticism and suggested improvements have been welcomed throughout the whole process and, whilst the integrity of the scheme remains, there have been many modifications."

For example comments from the Civic Society led to a change in the roof shape of the Liner building, residents in Stracey Road wanted to see more traditional architecture for the cottage apartments, which have been adapted.

It was approved under delegated powers, in agreement with the local ward councillor Geoffrey Evans, who said because the town council were supportive and objections from some of the residents on Stracey Road have been satisfactorily dealt with, he saw no planning reason for the application to be referred to the planning committee.

"A lot of effort has gone into tackling the issues of cars and car parking, whilst at the same time extending the wonderful tropical gardens."

There will be 100 under ground parking spaces and a total of 174 spaces on the site.

"We would still like to talk to the council about improving the beach car park to make it suitable for guests and customers to use and have offered to fund improvements."

The Liner building will include 56 apartments which will be sold and managed by St Michael's, new bar and restaurant, deli and shop.

The vision for the whole resort is anchored around a major investment in a new spar, health and wellness facilities across the site and upgrading of facilities.

St Michael's will become dedicated to treatments and relaxation with seven new treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms and sauna cabins, relaxation areas spa garden and cafe.

The health club will relocate to an expanded space created from the majority of the former Falmouth Beach Club.

There will be two gyms, two fitness studios, a large pool and four eco lodges.

A new entrance will be created opposite Gyllyngvase Beach and there will be a new reception, function suite, 90 bedrooms and suites to become a 4 star delux property.

I would like to thank my architects and many consultants and advisors that have contributed to the development of the scheme thus far, as well as the planning officers and my staff for all their contributions."

The next stage will involve more detailed design development and discussions about the financing of the project.

*Here is this week's installment of 'Paul's' blog, whose struggles against a variety of conditions have given him an insight into not only the fight against mental illnesses, but sometimes the struggles people can face to get help.

I had a particularly bad week last week, this is due to my anxiety really taking over my life in a scary sort of way. Anxiety can make every thought, every conversation, every text or just any encounter with people just blow up out of all proportion.

With one of my conditions, the Personality Disorder, I don't like unanswered questions or unresolved situations. A good example is that I text someone last week and they never got back to me and I was in absolute panic over it. Eventually they got back to me, they were just busy. But that's textbook stuff, I think that if I'm not busy then the whole world around me isn't and how dare they not respond immediately. This of course is part of my illness, but in my mind at the time that's how I think!!

Also my daughter was ill, my dog was ill and I had a dispute with someone over money. These three things were all resolved, but at the time it crippled me mentally and physically.

I think for a lot of people with Anxiety, your mind won't let you relax or be happy, it's there to pick up on any situation and completely magnify it 10 fold. This brings on paranoia, then loss of appetite and bowl problems etc....

So my phycologist is teaching me the skills/tools of how to deal with everyday emotions and to just pause and take some deep breathes and if needed some medication (in my case Diazepam) instead of winding myself up into a frenzy. It's gonna be a long road to be able to do this and two long courses as well

1) Emotional Regulation

2) Dialect Behavioural Treatment/Therapy

I start theses courses after Christmas and also get to eventually meet my new consultant and get my long awaited medication review.

Please click here to ask me anything, or just to share your own experiences.

A TEENAGER suffering from schizophrenia who punched a man at a wedding reception was protecting a woman, a court has heard. 

Jack Hewitt, aged 18, of Hawthorne Way, Threemilestone, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared at Truro Crown Court. 

Sarah Vince, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Hewitt had been at the celebration at The Whitehouse Inn, Penhallow, on July 12, when he hit fellow guest Mark Richards. 

She said Mr Richards started to go up the steps to the entrance of the venue but a young lady was stood in the doorway. 

"He asks this lady to move and she makes a rude gesture towards him and told Mr Richards to wait," said Ms Vince.

"He raised his arm and pushed her away. It was at that point the defendant got involved." 

Hewitt struck a heavy blow to Mr Richards' face from behind and several more. 

Mr Richards, who suffered a 4cm cut to his left eye which needed eight stitches and swelling and bruising to his face in the incident, later said he believed he lost consciousness. 

Robert Linford, defending, said Hewitt had problems of his own and suffered from schizophrenia. 

"The defendant does not have many advantages in life," he said, adding that Hewitt was protecting the girl. Mary Lewis, court liaison probation officer, said Hewitt had lived in London with his mother but now lived in Threemilestone with his father. She said he needed a full time carer and had to take significant amounts of medication. 

She added: "Normally his father accompanies him everywhere but on this occasion they had been separated and this offence occurred." 

Hewitt was sentenced to a six-month community order with a curfew between 8pm to 6am daily for the next two months. 

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, said there had been at the very least provocation but that Mr Richards suffered an unpleasant injury.

COMING to the end of its first full year, it was time for Scoobybits Subaru Club Cornwall to celebrate Christmas; Scooby-style!

Nearly 70 members and 30 Subarus headed out from all parts of Cornwall, and a few from Devon, to meet up and convoy through the county to descend upon The Bowgie Inn, Newquay for lunch.

A great time was had by all, with great food, and the dining area afforded a good view of all the cars in the car park.

The venue's large car park provided a superb backdrop for the cars to have their photographs taken and for the final judging of the Car of the Year award.

Five cars from the shortlist of seven made it to the event and in the end the very shiny black Blob-eye Impreza, owned by Emma and Jon Law, won the trophy and title.

Speeches were given by Richard Barton a successful newcomer to hillclimbs this year and one of the club's admin team; Neil Gould, of Top Job Automotive, read a speech from Alan Jeffery of Plymouth's Engine tuner, who unfortunately wasn't able to make it, and Andrew Dinner, a well-known local hillclimb driver and the club's 100th member, made an impromptu speech as well as presenting the awards.

The children's choice for car of the year was a draw with both Malcolm Keast's blue Blob-eye wagon and Danny Barrett's eye-catching Monster decal Hawk-eye getting winners' certificates.

Other awards included most "prolific papper", most stickered car and the furthest travelled – which was particularly hard-fought this year.

After lunch, all of the admin team and the club sponsors, Scoobybits Subaru Specialists, were presented with gifts to thank them for their hard work and efforts throughout the year.

No one expected that a chat over coffee between Scoobybits owner Jason MacDonald and a customer, a little over 18 months ago, about the need for a family-focused group, would evolve into a club attracting regular visitors from as far afield as Barnstaple and Plymouth, and which is now heading towards 1,500 members.

Plans are already in place for meets in 2015 along with a number of local shows including Wadebridge Wheels, Rosudgeon Classic Car Show and Heartlands Classic Motor Show, alongside the popular national shows like BHP Fuelfest, Japfest and Rallyday.

Scoobybits Subaru Club Cornwall is a club on the rise. It is not limited to Subaru owners, but anyone with an interest in the marque.

For more information and details see www.Scoobybits.co.uk or the club's Facebook page.

VOSPERS are delighted to announce a new partnership with South West off-road driving specialists Outside Adventure Consultants (OAC Ltd).

The relationship will give the company's 4x4 customers an exciting opportunity to put these rugged vehicles through their paces.

The partnership marks an innovative step towards Vospers' ongoing commitment to providing motorists in Devon and Cornwall with the very best in customer service, expertise and motoring experience.

The official Jeep dealership for the Devon and Cornwall region, Vospers will now offer the chance for prospective Jeep motorists to experience the full range of capabilities of the legendary brand in conjunction with the leading company for off-roading in the South West.

As well as putting 4x4s through their on-road paces, drivers will now also be able to experience the vehicles' incredible skill and power off-road with the help of OAC instructors.

Nick Vosper, managing director at Vospers explains: "Vospers are proud to be associated with the Jeep brand. The expertise of our Jeep sales team is now bolstered by the talent of the team at OAC Ltd.

"This partnership will enhance the customer experience and see us further deliver on our aim to provide the most comprehensive customer service for motorists in the South West."

Vospers' Jeep showroom is based at Honiton Road, Exeter, where an impressive line-up of the vehicles from the iconic brand is showcased.

The brand has recently benefited from the addition of the all-new 2014 Cherokee, which joins an already popular portfolio including the Grand Cherokee, Compass and Wrangler two and four-door models.

Vospers has seen steady growth in interest in the brand since it joined their portfolio in 2011 and with the new Jeep Renegade set for a 2015 launch, there are exciting times ahead.

Speaking about the new partnership, Nick Agg-Manning, managing director of Outdoor Adventure Consultants, said: "We are delighted to team up with Vospers who offer an amazing range of 4x4 and 'Crossover' vehicles.

"The Jeep brand is synonymous with off-roading and both myself and my instructors are looking forward to providing expert advice to current and future owners."

Motorists wanting to find out more should go to vospers.com/jeep or call in to the Honiton Road showroom. Reviews carried out by the OAC team can also be found online at blog.vospers.com. Information on 4x4 days can be found at www.oacltd.co.uk

WHERE'S Wally has turned into where's Father Christmas this year at Hawkins St Stephen Kia's showroom as the dealership offers some fantastic prizes in reward for finding Christmas characters on their vehicles.

Running through December, customers will be able to visit the Hawkins St Stephen Kia showroom to find the locations of three snowmen and three Father Christmas' hidden on their showroom vehicles.

When all of them are found, entrants are invited to fill in their free entry form to be put into the prize draw.

With £150 worth of MOTs or services on offer as the top prize, available at Hawkins St Stephen, Kia have pulled out all the stops.

Five runners-up will also receive the Kia Executive Winter Pack containing torch, shoe grippers and foil blanket among many others, so that you can be prepared for every eventuality this winter.

To join in with this amazing prize draw visit Hawkins' Facebook page to view the images and call in to the Kia dealership on Terras Road, St Stephen to fill in the form.

For more information call Hawkins St Stephen Kia on 01726 822333.

A SLUMP in the cost of oil across the world could see petrol prices at the pumps slump below £1.

This would take prices to their lowest since the middle of 2009.

According to the RAC, the price of Brent crude oil, now down below 60-dollars-a-barrel for the first time since 2009, was predicted to keep on dropping.

The RAC added that it was hopeful this would pay off for motorists.

It said petrol could be sold nationally for under £1 a litre in the first few months of the new year.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "What's currently happening at the pumps with falling fuel prices is something many motorists will not remember seeing before.

"Talk of prices going up like a rocket and falling like a feather could not be further from the truth as retailers have been quick to pass on savings at the forecourt since we forecast on December 6 that prices were due to come down by 7p a litre for petrol and 6p for diesel."

He said the average price of a litre of petrol is 116.9p – 14p a litre cheaper than at the start of the year.

Diesel is around 16p cheaper – 122.33p a litre now compared to 138.24p in January.

The average supermarket price of fuel is 114.26p a litre for petrol and 120.18p for diesel.

Mr Williams added: "The cost of going to visit family and friends this Christmas will be the cheapest it's been for nearly five years, but the prospect of petrol going below £1 a litre in the new year is incredible, particularly when prices at the beginning of 2014 seemed to be heading ever upwards.

"Current forecasts are for average petrol prices to fall to below 110p a litre in the next fortnight and diesel to drop to under 116p.

"At these average prices across the country the cheapest retailers will almost certainly be selling petrol for around 105p a litre, or even lower."

Mrs LD Gape St Dennis

THE FUNERAL service for Lauraina Dawn Gape has taken place at Carne Hill Methodist Chapel, followed by interment at the cemetery.

The Reverend Joan Watson officiated and Betty Craddock was the organist.

Chosen bearers were: Alan Best, Andrew Bunt, Clive Wakeham and Geoff Redfern.

Family mourners were: Graham, husband; Nigel, son; Teresa, daughter; Vanessa, daughter-in-law; Jim, son-in-law; Lucy and Tom, grandchildren; Wendy Banfield, sister; Gerald Banfield, nephew; Hilary Merritt, sister-in-law; Shirley Common, sister-in-law; Steven, Sharon and Daniel Merritt, Alan Mayne and Kevin Mayne, Rodney and Esther James, Dave and Jean Bragg, Karen and Kevin Common, Trudy Crocker, family; Kathy and John Martin, Phil Rowe.

Also many friends and neighbours including: Paul Vercoe, Julie Vercoe, Stella Baker and Geoff Huddy, and representatives from Carne Hill Methodist Chapel including Betty Craddock and Jonathan Kent.

Funeral arrangements were by Oliver Bunt, of Robert Bunt & Sons, Funeral Directors, St Dennis.

THE deal over fishing quotas thrashed out between EU countries last night is "fair" for Cornwall, the government has said.

British Fishing minister and Cornish MP George Eustice said the deal was struck a balance between sustainable fish stocks and a thriving fishing industry.

It had been feared the negotiations would deliver a devastating blow to the county's fishing fleet.

However, as the EU Fisheries and Agriculture Council meeting closed last night, Eustice said he had kept the same quota as last year for many species, including monkfish, megrim and pollock in the South West as well as skates and rays around the UK.

"In some cases there are still some reductions in quota, but I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions need to support our shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy marine environment," he said.

"If we want a long-term future for our industry we have to listen to the available science and agree fishing opportunities which support the sustainability of our stocks.

"I was disappointed no decision was reached this year to improve bass stocks but will be following up on the Commission's commitment to work with Member States in the New Year.

"The UK has been a lone voice on this issue and it is essential we achieve a balanced approach which reflects the contribution of both commercial fisheries as well as recreational anglers on declining bass numbers."

Jim Portus, chief executive of South Western Fish Producer Organisation, said the deal was not the "disaster" he had predicted.

"I can't hide my disappointment that east Channel sole is still a deep cut without good science to back it up," he added.

"The 10 per cent cut in Channel plaice will affect the Brixham fleet. The inshore fleet were closed down in October and things will be worse in 2015. The French will not be tempted to do swaps of plaice to help UK out because they too are short of quota.

"Also, the rollover status quo of angler and megrim and pollock will help our netting fleet in Cornwall. The hake increase by 11 per cent will help the Newlyn netter fleet."

Defra claimed the UK had also successfully negotiated a number of further concessions:

• Days at sea kept at 2014 levels rather than reduced

• Increased quota for fishermen in many areas, including the following:

1. North Sea: 5% cod, 15% Nephrops (prawns), 15% plaice

2. North Sea and West Scotland: 6% haddock, 20% angler (monkfish)

3. Irish Sea: Nephrops (prawns) 3%

4. Around the UK: hake 11%

• Reducing cuts to a number of important fish quotas by providing sound scientific evidence to the Council. Including:

1. Celtic Sea: 64% cut to cod reduced to 26% and 41% cut to haddock reduced to 12%

2. Eastern Channel: 60% cut to sole reduced to 28%

3. Bristol Channel: 35% cut to sole reduced to 15%

• As well as maintaining 2014 quotas for a number of stocks, including:

1. Irish Sea: haddock

2. South West: angler (monkfish), megrim

3. Bristol Channel: plaice

4. North Sea: megrim, dab and flounder, sole and ling

• And accepting proposals for cuts where necessary to protect stocks, including:

1.Celtic Sea: 30% cut to herring, 26% cut to cod and 12%

2. North Sea: 5% herring, 15%

THE family behind what has been described as "Cornwall's best Christmas lights display" has thanked the public for helping them smash their target.

The Howell family from Barncoose Terrace in Redruth, decorated their house with a stunning array of Christmas lights and their display has even featured on B&Q's Big Switch on Christmas celebration television advert during an interval in Coronation Street.

The lights were switched on at the end of November in front of a large crowd.

Andrew Howell said: "We are absolutely chuffed to bits as when we started we didn't think that we'd get anywhere near the target of raising £1,000 for Cancer Research UK, as previously we'd been raising around £200 a year for the charity.

"This year really was something special and we've been overwhelmed by the support of the public.

"We'd like to thank everyone who has donated and remind people that we will be fundraising until January 1."

Also helping out with collections at the house has been a number of elves and Disney character Olaf from Frozen.

Mr Howell has been assisted this year by a small team consisting of wife Julie, daughter Charlotte, sons Francis, Liam & Wayne and their families, Emma, Hayley & Wes.

The lights have also featured on BBC Spotlight and a West Briton story shared by the family was read by over 10,000 people.

"It has all been absolutely mad and some of the feedback we've received has been great.

"We also received a letter addressed to 'the house with the lights in Redruth' that contained a donation and we won't be stopping with the fundraising just yet."

The lights will be on until January 1 and anybody wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/howellfamilylights

THE deal over fishing quotas thrashed out between European Union countries last night will have a big impact on Cornwall's fishing industry, a spokesman has said.

The new quotas will see a 26 per cent cut to cod and a 12 per cent cut to haddock, as well as a cut to sole, but an increase in hake by 11 per cent. Days at sea will be kept at 2014 levels.

Camborne and Redruth MP George Eustice, Minister for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, said the deal struck a balance between sustainable fish stocks and a thriving fishing industry.

As the EU Fisheries and Agriculture Council meeting closed last night, Mr Eustice said he had kept the same quota as last year for many species, including monkfish, megrim and pollock in the South West as well as skates and rays around the UK.

However, Paul Trebilcock, of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said the deal could lead to increased discards and would have a significant impact on boats.

"There's some reasonably positive stuff in that monkfish, megrim, and hake are either rolled over or have a slight increase but the disappointing bit was the cod and haddock," he said.

Cost

"There's plenty of this fish around and this is going to cost the fleet in Newlyn and in Cornwall.

"Without quota they won't be able to land it, which will contribute to discards which isn't what anybody wants.

"The monkfish, hake and megrim are big in terms of economic value to boats in Newlyn and Cornwall, but if cod makes up 5 per cent of the boats' turnover, it's going to have a significant impact."

The original proposals would have seen a 69 per cent cut to cod and a 41 per cent cut to haddock.

Mr Eustice said: "In some cases there are still some reductions, but I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions need to support our shared goals of a thriving fishing industry, sustainable fish stocks and a healthy environment.

"If we want a long-term future for our industry we have to listen to the available science and agree fishing opportunities which support the sustainability of our stocks.

"I was disappointed no decision was reached this year to improve bass stocks, but will be following up on the commission's commitment to work with member states in the

new year."

A PAINTER AND decorator is keeping the light of his father's memory shining bright with an impressive display of Christmas illuminations.

For the past 12 years Mark Verran has decked the outside of the house in Malabar, Truro, with thousands of lights, scenes of reindeer, snowmen and even a projection of Father Christmas.

The display is in memory of his dad Sid, who passed away after losing his battle with cancer at the age of 57 in July 2002, and to raise money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent, which was close to Sid's heart and remains so to his family.

Sid loved Christmas and together the father and son team would install the Christmas lights around Truro for many years.

Mark's dad also lent the jolly red-suited present giver a hand over the festive season standing in for a decade as Father Christmas at Malletts Home Hardwear.

The 40-year-old, from Behenna Drive, said: "Dad absolutely loved doing that. He thought Christmas was a really special time of the year. When dad passed away 12 years ago I decided to put up the lights for him."

Planning for the annual display starts in January and fiancée Tracey Kemp, 34, said Mark will think nothing of travelling to Wales or Manchester to add to his collection.

"We even went to Blackpool just to go to the light shop to pick up Christmas lights and that was in August," she said.

One of Mark's favourite pieces is a snow fall scene which lit up a London stage for the premiere of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe before he purchased it and brought it back to Truro.

The light show takes Mark two to three weekends to install and they are normally switched on in the first week of December.

Every night between 4.30pm and 9.30pm the house becomes a winter wonderland.

Mark added: "I love it but people do take the mickey out of me but it's nice to see people's faces when they come around to take a look. CLIC is a wonderful charity and I also want to raise as much money as possible for them."

The couple have even had one visitor knock on their door on Christmas Day with a special request.

Mark said: "My pride and joy is the projection of Father Christmas in the window, but one year I had changed it to a snowman. We were sitting down to Christmas dinner a woman knocked and asked me to change it back because she wanted to see Father Christmas; that's the one they all like."

Mark has also followed in his dad's footsteps by donning the red suit when Father Christmas is otherwise engaged for nursery children at Truro High School.

Everyone is welcome to see the spectacular display and a donation to CLIC Sergeant can be left in a collection pot by the house.

VILLAGERS have vowed to fight to save their chapel and adjoining village hall, saying they fear they could close in the new year.

Kehelland residents say the impending sale of its Men's Institute will lead to the closure of the Methodist chapel and hall, which have shared facilities with it since 2001.

The institute shut in the summer due to escalating costs and dwindling memberships and has since been put on the market for private development.

Former Cornwall councillor and Kehelland resident David Biggs is one of those leading the fight to retain the use of the facilities and warned that if the institute were sold, then the hall and church might be forced to follow suit.

"The institute is held in trust for the benefit of the community and it is clear that the community should decide what, if anything happens to it, as anything else would be a breach of that trust," he said.

"It doesn't seem right that a group of people have found themselves in a position to sell something that was created by and belongs to the community."

David Oates, who attends Kehelland Methodist Church, said: "It's heartbreaking to think that a simple lack of consultation with the community could lead to the end of generations of social and religious activity at the heart of the village."

David Rashleigh, property secretary and administrator of the village hall, said that on the whole, the village was very concerned about the threat of its closure.

"Both the chapel and village hall are used extensively and we will be this week holding a meeting to gather opinion and see how we'll proceed from here," said Mr Rashleigh.

Chris Spencer, chairman of the Kehelland Men's Institute, declined to comment.

REDRUTH Town Council could raise its share of residents' council tax by up to 18 per cent next year.

Members of the audit and accounting governance committee met to discuss the council's tax precept on Monday evening.

It was unanimously decided to propose an 18 per cent increase on last year's precept, meaning a Band D household would face charges of £95.68 – an increase of £14.58 on last year's bill of £81.10.

Members heard the increase was aimed at offsetting the cost of taking over services devolved from Cornwall Council and increasing the town council's reserves.

Councillor Ian Thomas said: "I believe that the public are aware of the financial climate we are in and I think they would be prepared to pay more to safeguard the vulnerable in our society."

The proposal has to be put to the full council before it can be approved and it is estimated that this will take place in early January.

A TRADITIONAL Christmas grotto which has bought festive cheer to more than 1,000 children will be open for the final time this year on Saturday.

The Redruth Christmas Grotto in the old Boots shop on Fore Street has welcomed hundreds of children since it opened during the Christmas lantern parade on Saturday, November 29.

Launched in 2007, the free event features Father Christmas in his original green gown alongside wishing trees, a display of Meccano toys from the Moseley Toy and Train Museum and model train sets from Fourlaynes Model Railway.

The idea for the grotto came from Redruth artist and mother Bec Applebee who said she wanted to recreate for her son the memories she had of visiting Father Christmas at the West End Stores.

She developed her idea with creative studios Krowji, local residents, traders and councillors who were working to reinvigorate the town's Christmas celebrations.

Ms Applebee said: "We all shared the same wish, which was to show Redruth at its best and help increase the footfall in the town.

"Our procession this year brought out the biggest crowds we've ever seen and it was great to have an official switch-on thanks to the new Christmas lights committee."

The grotto has grown each year since it opened and this year Ms Applebee and fellow artist Kate Beesley have run workshops with nine schools and community groups in and around Redruth, enabling almost 400 young people to be involved in its development.

She added: "The continuing support from Krowji together with funding from Redruth Town Council have enabled us to make our project inclusive so that people of all abilities can get involved and feel a part of their town."

The Redruth Christmas Grotto will be open between 10am and 2.30pm on Saturday.

TWO brothers are skating into Pool with a new entertainment venue – Cornwall's largest custom-built roller rink.

Nathan Thomas and Simon Nankervis welcomed the first visitors to their new skating venture – Rollers Roller Rink – in Pool on Saturday.

The high-tech skating facility is the only one of its kind in west Cornwall and offers specialist family-friendly and adult skating sessions set to music and vibrant light displays.

The brothers, who also run a roller rink in St Ives, are lifelong fans of roller skating and have spent two years developing their idea and finding the right venue for their top-notch rink.

Mr Thomas said: "My brother and I have always been in to extreme sports and skate boarding and surfing so six years ago we decided to bring roller-skating to St Ives and we haven't looked back.

"While the St Ives sessions are fantastic, we don't have access to a purpose-built rink, so we thought we would go ahead and invest in our own.

"We chose Pool partly because of the venue and because many of the adults at the St Ives sessions travelled from the mid-Cornwall, Camborne and Redruth areas and it is made from the same materials as the rink's Olympic roller teams train on."

The skating venue houses a gourmet burger bar, a café, skate shop, licensed bar and private party room.

There is also the opportunity to relive the Eighties in the retro arcade, which includes Pac-man, Space Invaders, Defender and Pinball games.

Mr Thomas added: "We really do cater for all ages and abilities – families, teenagers and adults, men and women. You can come along if you love extreme sports or if you just want to take it slow and skate leisurely; it's really versatile and really fun – there's nothing else like it.

"We have had a few retro skaters who remember the old rink in Camborne and some people come along who are new to skating and everyone has been buzzing about it."

The brothers have big plans for the venue next year and will be introducing a series of themed skating sessions, a student night and a roller fitness class.

Mr Thomas said: "Roller fitness is really popular in America at the moment.

"You can lose up to 600 calories per hour roller skating and we already have some certified roller fitness instructors lined up."

They also want to help the Cornwall Roller Derby (CRD) association drum up support for its derby teams and will be holding practice sessions at the rink.

Skating sessions at Rollers Roller Rink are cost £5.90 and "retro-quad" roller skates can be hired for £1.90 – large groups are asked to book in advance.

The venue is available for parties and the rink can be hired out for private-use Monday to Thursday.

For more information about skate sessions or to hire the rink visit the website www.rollersrollerdisco.co.uk

THE lights went on around the harbour in Porthleven on Friday, December 5, marking the start of the festive season.

Porthleven Town Band played Christmas carols and members of the local gig club offered refreshments.

There were stalls set up around the harbour head and many of the shops stayed open late.

When the lights went on, there was a fireworks display across the harbour.