Shops in Beer will be staying open late for Christmas shopping tonight. Read this and more.

DISABLED ACCESS: People with mobility issues who do not have access to disabled toilets will soon have help from businesses.

Beer Parish Council will be selling Radar keys - which can be used to unlock public conveniences across the country - to shops, which will advertise that they can be borrowed.

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JUST SAY KNOLL: Residents who think a green area of Beer has ecological significance can have it protected by a wildlife group.

The Axe Vale and District Conservation Society restricts cutting of grass verges at particular times of the year to encourage the growth of wild flowers.

Their conservation work includes a grass verge between Beer and Seaton, and suggestions for other areas can be made to axevale-mail@yahoo.co.uk.

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HI-SPEC RELIC: A disused telephone kiosk has been disconnected from the power grid in preparation for its move in the New Year.

A project is underway for the old phonebox – which was briefly a ‘swap shop’ - to be turned into an information point on local businesses and a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to the internet.

It will be placed in front of the Mariners’ Hall after the Christmas tree comes down.

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NO BACKING: Beer planners said they couldn’t support an application in Lilacs to build an extension as the property would negatively impact on neighbouring properties.

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SEASONAL RAFFLE: The Mason’s Arms in Branscombe is running a raffle until December 23 to raise money for Sidmouth Hospice Care, with a variety of prizes on offer.

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FESTIVE FUN: Shops in Beer will be staying open late for Christmas shopping tonight (Friday), with a special appearance from Santa Claus.

The Mariners’ Hall will be among those offering mulled wine, mince pies and various gifts until 9pm.

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GRAND OPENING: The newly-resurfaced and repainted Townsend coach park in Beer was officially opened on Saturday.

The parish council thanked Devon County Council for its �5,000 contribution towards the project.

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SINGSONG: Branscombe’s village hall plays host to a church carol service next Friday (December 21).

They will be raising money for Children’s Hospice South West from 6.30pm until 8pm.

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PARKING PROBLEMS: Yellow lines have still not been painted on Causeway in Beer, after the road was resurfaced in the middle of October.

Cars have been parking on the road, which has caused difficulty for buses and coaches turning in the village.

Parish councillors last Monday heard the work was put back following the widespread flooding in November, but Devon County Council is still aware of the issue and contractors will complete the work when in the area.