Weekly round-up: Stories you may have missed

3 hours ago

News image — Pigs are enjoying their new surroundings at Bicton Agricultural College near Exeter

RSPCA A small pig stands in a muddy field, facing the camera with dirt on its snout and ears perked up. The background shows a green, leafy outdoor setting with soft sunlight filtering through trees. — Pigs are enjoying their new surroundings at Bicton Agricultural College near Exeter

Abandoned piglets have been rescued from mud and neglect, enthusiasts have built a replica of a boat used by spies during World War Two, a charity is hoping to host the world's largest cream tea party, and two brothers have set out to cycle from Devon to Australia.

Here are some of the stories you may have missed in Devon and Cornwall this week.

The bus routes linking city streets to sandy shores

A bus stop beside a coast path sign, with the blue sea and sky behind. The bus is on a grassy roadside bank. — Many bus stops in Devon and Cornwall have stunning seaside views

As the busy holiday season approaches, a network of coastal buses offers a car‑free route to some of Devon and Cornwall's most striking seaside locations - including one special route that is about to come back into service.

Stagecoach South West's seasonal number 54 "beach bus" returns each May, linking Plymouth city centre with Bovisand Beach for the summer.

Brothers cycling from Devon to Australia for charity

@devonbaistobyronbay Conrad (left) and Bobby with their hands on each others shoulders. They have biked behind them. They are both smiling. — Conrad (left) and Bobby are raising money for Pete's Dragons

Two brothers have set out to cycle from Devon to Australia to raise money for a suicide bereavement charity.

Bobby and Conrad Saunders set off from Crediton, Devon, on 12 April with a target of £1,000 for Pete's Dragons, and are currently in Slovenia.

Largest cream tea world record attempt

Cornwall Hospice Josh Widdicombe is sitting on a patterned sofa holding a plate which has a scone with cream and jam on it. He is raising a half of it to his mouth. He has short brown hair and is wearing a baseball cap and a pair of glasses. On the wall behind him is an abstract print. — Comedian Josh Widdicombe has launched the world record attempt

A charity is hoping to host the world's largest cream tea party while raising funds for people with terminal illness.

Cornwall Hospice is inviting people to help break the Guinness World Record at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge on Saturday 19 September.

Abandoned piglets rescued from mud and neglect

RSPCA Two pigs step out of the back of a small trailer into a grassy field while three people stand nearby guiding them into the enclosure. Wooden fencing, trees and bright blue sky frame the scene, with sunlight highlighting the fresh green grass underfoot. — Emma and Ellie are released at Bicton Agricultural College near Exeter

Two piglets found abandoned have been given a fresh start after being rescued in a bad condition.

Emma and Ellie, now three months old, were discovered dumped along a driveway in Glastonbury on 13 February, crying out in distress, said rescuers the RSPCA.

Replica WW2 spy boat honours espionage group

A grey moulded replica spy boat in a workshop — The boats were painted grey to avoid being detected by German sentry guards

A replica of a boat used by spies for daring rescues during World War Two has been built by a team of enthusiasts over the last year and a half.

The 25ft (8m) boat was used by spies from the Special Operations Executive (SOE) to secretly land in France to deliver supplies and rescue downed airmen during the war.

At-home test could spot Alzheimer's risk early

Reuters A hand is pointing at two colourful brain scan images displayed on a screen, showing cross-sections of a human brain. The scans use bright colours like red, yellow, green, and blue to highlight different levels of activity or density. — Nearly one million people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, says the University of Exeter Medical School

Scientists say a simple at-home test could spot someone's risk of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms take hold, in what experts call a major step towards earlier diagnosis and support.

The new approach uses a finger-prick blood sample and a short online brain test that people can complete from their own homes.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.