UPDATES: Wednesday November 26

7pm:Lifeboat crews from Devon and the crew of a fishing vessel saved the lives of two men minutes before their boat sank today.

Exmouth RNLI's all weather boat was called to the emergency off Portland after the crew of a sinking vessel sent out a Mayday call.

The distress call came in shortly after 8am after the Aleyna began to "turn turtle", according to Tom Mock, coxswain of the Exmouth Lifeboat, in freezing seas.

For more, see tomorrow's Echo.

6.15pm: The planned Exeter vigil for Baby P has won the backing of the National Society for the Protection of Children.

The vigil, set for Cathedral Green on Saturday, December 13, is being organised by St Thomas mother Elaine Woolacott.

Elaine, 36, said: "I have had great news from the NSPCC who contacted me saying we are approved to collect for them."

For more, see tomorrow's Echo.

6pm: A driver was airlifted to hospital and a woman was cut free from her car following a two vehicle crash which is blocking a main road in Mid Devon.

The incident on the A396 Tiverton to Bickleigh road happened at 3.20pm.

Firefighters freed the woman driver from the wreckage of her Vauxhall Corsa 40 minutes after the impact while the male driver of a Ford Mondeo was taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital by Devon Air Ambulance which had landed in a field adjoining the road.

There was also a passenger in the Mondeo and police later described the injured as "walking wounded."

A police spokesman said: "We have no indication at this stage whether this was a head-on crash.

"The road was closed in both directions for several hours and police set up diversions."

5pm: Workers at furniture chain MFI face an uncertain future as it emerged that the firm is battling for survival amid a row over unpaid rents.

The group could be forced into administration within days if the dispute with landlords is not resolved, it was reported today.

MFI, which has a branch in Moor Lane, Exeter, has more than 1,000 staff and runs more than 100 stores across the UK.

Chief executive Gary Favell led a management buyout of the firm at the end of September – when over a third of the stores were closed as part of the move.

But Mr Favell is said to have caused anger among existing landlords by demanding a "rent-free" period for three months to prevent the rest of the business also being put into administration.

While some landlords agreed to the move, others – including the group's former owner Galiform – have not and are currently demanding rental payments, according to the report.

Financial restructuring firm Kroll is said to be acting on behalf of those landlords seeking rental payments.

4pm: The jury in the case of a former outdoor pursuits instructor accused of a string of sexual offences against youngsters is yet to reach a verdict.

Howard Andrews, 45, formerly of Tiverton but now living in West Sussex, has pleaded not guilty at Exeter Crown Court to a total of 15 charges of indecent assault, one of rape, one of indecency with a child and one of buggery.

The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 1998 and involve three boys and five girls.

The jury was sent out today but did not return a verdict and the trial was adjourned until 10.30am tomorrow.

3pm: Police were called after reports of a man acting suspiciously near the Barley Mow pub in Martins Lane, Tiverton.

Officers arrived around 1am on November 26 and the man was causing a disturbance and smashing a window.

Taser was deployed and the man was arrested for criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

During the incident a male police officer received minor cuts.

A 39 year old man from Tiverton remains in police custody.

1pm: The jury in the case of a former outdoor pursuits instructor accused of a string of sexual offences against youngsters began to consider its verdicts today.

Howard Andrews, 45, from Twineham, West Sussex, has pleaded not guilty at Exeter Crown Court to a total of 15 charges of indecent assault, one of rape, one of indecency with a child and one of buggery.

The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 1998 and involve three boys and five girls.

11am: Three fire appliances from Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton attended a fire at a ground-floor flat in St Andrews Road, Exmouth at 5am this morning.

The fire involved the flooring and was out on arrival. Crews used a thermal imaging camera to check the property.