Hourly Updates: Monday, July 6

6PM: A £2m state-of-the-art cricket facility has been formally opened in the city.

The technically advanced indoor cricket centre was launched at Exeter University.

The facility, on the main campus, aims to boost cricketing opportunities for Devon's aspiring young cricketers, established players, clubs and teams — as well as the university's cricketers.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

5PM: A road menace who has been caught by police driving dangerously for the third time has been told he should expect to be jailed.

David Clarke admitted dangerous driving after being seen by police officers in Exeter's High Street.

The 40-year-old, of Musgrave House, Musgrave Row, in the city centre, was also disqualified from driving at the time of the offence.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

4PM: A man accused of grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old East Devon school girl has been found guilty by a jury.

It took just 55 minutes for the jury of five men and seven women to decide that 45-year-old Paul Cox was guilty of seven charges, including encouraging a girl to make and send indecent photographs of herself.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

3PM: A MAN has gone missing from a Mid Devon hospital sparking a police search.

Officer in Tiverton are appealing to members of the public for help in finding 64-year-old Peter Winchester who suffers from Alzheimers.

He was last seen at the Tiverton and District Hospital's Melrose Ward at around 11.20am yesterday. Note: mon

Mr Winchester may have muddled speech and will be confused and not know where he is which is why police are treating his disappearance as high-risk.

He is described as 5ft 11, of slim build, with clean shaven with short greying hair. He was wearing a blue and white polo type shirt, beige trousers and brown shoes.

Anyone who sees Peter is asked to call police on 08453 777444 quoting log 368 of 6/07/09.

3PM: A Territorial Army soldier from Exeter was killed by a landmine explosion during a reconnaissance patrol in southern Afghanistan, an inquest heard today.

Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, of the Honourable Artillery Company, was thrown out of the Land Rover in the blast north of Sangin in Helmand Province on December 4 2007.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

2PM: Kind-hearted staff from Co-operative stores throughout Exeter are getting on their bikes for a big fundraising event with a difference.

Hundreds of Co-operative staff from throughout the South West will take part in the 24 hour Le Mans-style cycling challenge, each cycling for two hours on the Thruxton circuit.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

1PM: Car dealers in Exeter are experiencing a sales boost thanks to the Government's scrappage scheme.

It comes as new industry figures showed private buyer registrations were up 3.9 per cent last month, the first rise in this sector since November 2007, despite an overall decline in total car sales.

The £2,000 incentive for people to trade in cars over 10 years old and buy a brand new motor has been credited with slowing the fall in new vehicle sales since it came into effect in May.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

NOON: The poverty he saw on a trip to Egypt inspired a nine-year-old boy to cycle 22 miles to raise money for children in the country.

Benji Dovell, who lives in Thorverton and attends the village primary school, cycled from Thorverton to Talaton and back with his sister Poppy, 11 and a friend, Lucy Bowden.

Benji was inspired to get on his bike after going on a family holiday to Egypt at Easter.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

11AM: Fire broke out in a grain cooling hopper in a factory in Mid Devon today.

Firefighters were called to Saunders Way, Kings Mill Industrial Estate, Cullompton, just after 2am, and discovered a fire in a grain drier containing about a tonne of grain.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

10AM: An inquest into the death of an Exeter Territorial Army soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan will resume today.

Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, of the Honourable Artillery Company, died while on patrol north of Sangin in Helmand Province on December 4, 2007.

The inquest at County Hall, Exeter, is due to last four days.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

9AM: Firefighters rescued a man from the under the Miller's Crossing bridge over the River Exe in the early hours of this morning.

Two crews from Exeter were called to the bridge off Bonhay Road, in the city, shortly after 3am today.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.