New owners at last for Webb's Hotel

LISKEARD'S currently sad and sorry Webb's Hotel has been officially sold to Wykeham Land Ltd of the South Hams, the deal being completed on schedule on Friday August 31.

The news was announced by estate agents Vickery Holman, of Truro, who have been dealing with the sale.

The l9th century coaching hotel has been closed since the late l980s and has remained boarded up ever since. Alan Treloar, of Vickery Holman, said: 'It is expected that the purchaser will lose little time breathing new life into the property, which surely all Liskeard residents will be delighted to see take place.'

Wykeham's managing director, John Steven, said the company is now the owner of Webb's and is working with different bodies regarding future plans, including Liskeard town council, Caradon council, and the Rural Development Agency.

When Wykeham first stepped in as a buyer for the hotel earlier in the summer Mr Steven said the aim was to develop something that was accepted by the local community, and which was a viable commercial development at the same time.

Chef 'attacked'

by dead shark

A Cornish chef needed 17 stitches after being 'attacked' by a dead shark.

Darren Smith, a chef at Ye Olde Dolphin Restaurant, Newquay, was driving a van, containing an open ice box with the porbeagle shark in it, back to his restaurant from Newlyn when the accident happened.

Steve Ward, owner of the restaurant, explained: 'We had to brake sharply to avoid a car crash and the shark shot out of the ice box. It looked fairly horrifying when it happened.'

As Darren tried to defend his head from the jaws he caught his hand on a tooth - the cut needed 17 stitches at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske. The 24-year-old said: 'I felt like a right idiot. I must be the first person in history to be attacked be a shark on dry land - and a dead one at that! The nurses at the hospital couldn't stop laughing when I said how it had happened.'

Steve added: 'Although Darren was hurt we can all see the funny side of it!' The shark is now in 150 steaks in the restaurant's freezer.

Ploughing match

is cancelled

THE annual Lanreath Ploughing Association's ploughing match, due to be held on 29th September , has been cancelled as a precaution against Foot and Mouth. A new date for next year will be announced as soon as possible.