Hourly Updates: Monday, November 10

7pm: It has been described as an "alien-like" disease and a Devon MP is trying to raise awareness to stop more people becoming infected.

Hugo Swire, MP for East Devon, organised the seminar on Lyme Disease at Westminster after being contacted by a constituent from Sidmouth who suffers from it.

Stella Huyshe-Shires contracted the disease in 1999 but was not diagnosed until 2002 and only then after she insisted on a blood test and a referral to a neurologist.

6pm: Three wards remain closed at the RD&E due to contagious vomiting and diarrhoea bug norovirus.

Clyst, for stroke patients; Okement, a gastroenterology and general medicine ward; and Bolham, for acute elderly care and neurology remain closed to visitors and new patients.

The three wards have been closed in order to isolate patients and stop the bug from spreading easily.

When a ward is closed it means no visitors are allowed unless there are very exceptional circumstances and a visit has been agreed in advance with the matron.

5pm: House sales in the South West remained static last month, but experts are hopeful of an upturn.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' latest UK housing market survey, the region witnessed the same number of sales in October as the previous month, with the average number of transactions over the last three months at 10 per agency.

This contrasts with a national fall to the lowest figure since the survey began in 1978, as lenders still hold a tight grip on finance.

4pm: Towns and villages in Devon were flooded yesterday following heavy rainfall.

Parts of Exmouth, Starcross, Ottery, Feniton, Rockbeare, Exmouth, and Sandford were among the areas affected, and a primary school in Kenton was nearly flooded.

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

3PM: Independent retailers in Exeter admit times are tough, following the closure of a long-established boutique in the city centre.

Willy's, in Gandy Street, had been in business since 1985.

Many shoppers and traders were surprised to find the boutique suddenly empty, although owner Susie Jackson had hinted that trading conditions were difficult as customers tightened their belts.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

2.30PM: It has now been confirmed that a 39-year-old man riding the motorcycle died in an accident earlier today on the A396.

The woman pillion passenger on the motorcycle is still in theatre after sustaining serious injuries.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

2PM: A former Exeter City footballing star has died, aged 67.

Cecil Smyth was a member of the Grecians' 1963-64 promotion team and was signed from Irish club Distillery to Exeter in August 1962.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

1.30PM: The B3176 Sidmouth to Newton Poppleford road near the Bowd Inn has been closed due to flooding.

1PM: The Exmouth RNLI boathouse appeal has received an enormous boost after a £74,000 donation from the Norman Family Charitable Trust.

The money, which will be used to fund the crew changing rooms in the new lifeboat station, comes just weeks after cracks in the newly-installed ramp at the £1.6 million project were discovered.

For full story, see Wednesday's ThisIsExmouth supplement inside your Echo.

NOON: Tributes have been paid to Honiton Mayor Chris Tratt after his death while recovering from heart surgery.

Those who knew and worked with the mayor say he worked "tirelessly" for the community.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

11AM: A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal crash near Exminster on Thursday night.

Alison Langton, aged 33, from Dawlish, died in the collision between two cars at Sannerville Way, Exeter.

The man is presently in an undisclosed hospital where he is being treated for injuries which are described as not life threatening.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

10AM: Police are urging anyone who sees a man missing from the Exmouth area to contact them.

Darren Healey, 37, was reported missing at 5am today. He has short dark brown hair, is 6ft 1ins tall, around 12 stone.

Anyone with any information regarding Darren is asked to contact police on 08452 777444.

9AM: High Street in Stoke Canon has been closed by a serious accident involving a car and a motorcycle.

The rider and pillion of the motorcycle have been taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

The A396 is shut is both directions from Bickleigh. Police are on the scene and say the closure is likely to last for a while.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.

8AM: A man is due to appear in court today after he threatened police officers with a knife in Union Street, Exeter.

The man was arrested and and later charged with affray, assault and criminal damage following the incident at 7pm on Friday night.

For full story, see Tuesday's Echo.