A British expert says towns in the country with seemingly rude names, including Crapstone and Spanker Lane, were named when the words had other meanings. Ed Hurst, a co-author of the books Rude Britain and Rude UK, which document places with arguably offensive names, said England is home to towns called Crapstone, Ugley, North Piddle, Spanker Lane, Crotch Crescent, Wetwang, Slutshole Lane and Pratts Bottom, The New York Times reported Friday. Place names and street names are full of history and culture, and it's only because language has evolved over the centuries that they've wound up sounding rude, Hurst said. Crapstone residents said the name of their village began innocently, but theories were mixed as to how the name came about.

Keen walkers from Plymouth are being encouraged to sign up for the Dartmoor Challenge to raise money for charity. Marie Curie Cancer Care is looking for people to take part in the 10-mile walk across the moor. The circular route will begin at Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

Keen walkers are being encouraged to sign up for the Dartmoor Challenge. Marie Curie Cancer Care is looking for people to take part in the 10-mile walk across the Devon countryside. The circular route will begin in Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

By STAFF REPORTER South Devon's jungle celebrity Jennie Bond was on hand to launch the new high speed tool in Devon Air Ambulance's arsenal. Its call sign G-DVAA may sound bland but the new helicopter is set to give a dramatic boost to the mercy air link from incidents to hospital across Devon.

Hundreds of people gathered in the grounds of Thornton Abbey Gatehouse to watch a spine-chilling Illyria Theatre Company production. As sunset approached on Sunday, the spooky tale of the Hound of the Baskervilles was acted out, with the atmospheric listed building as the backdrop.