Hourly Updates: Friday, July 3

4PM: Police are trying to track the "despicable" thief who has been stealing flowers from a graveyard — often within minutes of a funeral taking place.

Graves in the churchyard of St Michael's, Honiton, have been repeatedly targeted over the past few months.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

3PM: A 200-year-old Devon house will be re-opened tomorrow thanks to a massive local backing.

Kennaway House, a Regency house in Sidmouth had fallen into dangerous disrepair but has been saved thanks to £250,000 raised by local people.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

2PM: Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw says there remains a "deep strain of homophobia" in the Conservatives.

Speaking ahead of London's Gay Pride march, the Culture Secretary argued that the Tories has failed to move on from its past, and that party leader David Cameron "talks the talk but he doesn't walk the walk."

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

1PM: The Defence Secretary said today that British forces in Afghanistan were "better equipped than they have ever been" following the death of the most senior British Army officer to be killed in action since the Falklands War.

Bob Ainsworth, speaking today in Exeter, ahead of a military parade, said, when asked if the vehicle Lt Col Thorneloe was travelling in was suitable: "If you ask anybody in Afghanistan they will tell you our forces there are better equipped then they've ever been.

For full story and pictures, see Saturday's Echo.

1PM: Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault in which a man was attacked by four people.

The 54-year-old victim was set upon at the junction of York Road and Queen's Crescent, in Exeter at 1am on Tuesday .

He was left with a grazed head.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

NOON: Parents and children from a Devon village will be celebrating the official opening of a cycle track this weekend — made possible thanks to nearly £50,000 of lottery funding.

Members of Whimple Action Committee 4 Youth secured a lottery grant of £49,166.14 for their parish field project, which includes the bike track.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

11AM: Exeter's Bishop's Palace garden was buzzing with more than bees when over 170 guest gathered to praise the county's volunteers.

Devon Community Foundation's Volunteer of the Year Awards were handed to the eight recipients by the Rt Rev Michael Langrish.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

10AM: Two children from an Exeter nursery who were treated for swine flu earlier this week have been given the all-clear, a spokeswoman said.

The youngsters, from Little Ones Childcare, at Wynstream School in Wonford, received the result of their swab tests and both were negative.

For full story, see Saturday's Echo.

The nursery said it was still awaiting results for one child.

9AM: Hundreds of service personnel who have returned from Afghanistan will parade today to celebrate their homecoming.

Nearly 700 troops will march through Exeter, Devon cheered on by an expected crowd of thousands.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will take the salute before the parade continues to Exeter cathedral where there will be a service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

For full story and pictures, see Saturday's Echo.