News in Seaton

East Devon District Council's new Leader has described the resignation of Cllr Stuart Hughes as chairman of the council as "a relief".

The statement from EDDC's new Leader, Cllr Paul Arnott, comes after Cllr Hughes levelled a number of criticisms at the new administration in his letter of resignation yesterday (June 1).

Emergency services were called to Axmouth harbour yesterday evening after a young man 'tombstoning' was swept out to sea and could not get back.

Beer and Lyme Regis coastguards, Lyme Regis lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from St Athan in Wales, fire and rescue co-responders and the ambulance service were called to the scene just after 6pm.

The chairman of East Devon District Council, Cllr Stuart Hughes, has resigned from the role, claiming attempts to blame him for the unceremonious break-up of an extraordinary meeting of the council as the "final straw".

The meeting was being streamed live on YouTube when it was taken down for breaking the site's regulations, as one member of the council swore.

New East Devon District Council Leader Cllr Paul Arnott promises a new approach to bring stability for all its residents.

EDDC has a new administration following an extraordinary meeting.

Devon & Cornwall Police have issued 989 fixed penalty notices to those breaking lockdown rules over the past two months.

The figures are for the period of April 1 to May 28 and almost a quarter of the penalties were issued to people from outside the force area.

Police are appealing for information after two police officers were assaulted on Seaton seafront.

At around 7.20pm on Friday, May 8 a group of men became verbally and physically abusive to officers, with one of the men grabbing an officer's body armour and trying to drag him backwards. Another was also assaulted.

TWO lifeboat crews were called after an upturned kayak was spotted off Beer.

The Beer Coastguard Rescue Team were patrolling the beach to ensure safety when they saw the upturned kayak with two people in the water near Pounds Pool, with wind blowing them out towards Beer Head.

EAST Devon district councillors reconvened this morning to complete the election of a new leader and deputy leader after last's night extraordinary meeting was abandoned "due to technical issues".

As councillors were casting their votes, the meeting, being streamed live on YouTube, was suspended for violating the site's terms and conditions after a councillor used a profanity which was not muted.

CONFUSION surrounds the election of a new leader for East Devon District Council tonight, which was taking place via video conferencing.

The meeting, being streamed live on YouTube, was suspended for violating the site's terms and conditions after a councillor is alleged to have used a profanity which was not muted.

CREWS were called to extinguish a fire in the open countryside between Seaton and Beer yesterday evening (Wednesday).

Fire crews from Seaton and Sidmouth attended the scene, using a hose reel jet and a compressed air foam system to bring the fire under control promptly.