CORNWALL secured second place in the entertainments competition at the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs annual convention at the weekend.

Members of Launceston Young Farmers’ Club were part of the Cornwall finalist’s team, presenting ‘How Pink is your Panther?’ at Torquay.

They missed out on first place, which went to Llanfyllin YFC, but Launceston YFC chairman Amy Trehane said they had a ‘brilliant weekend’.

Amy added: “Coming second at the national final was an achievement that was extremely reflective of the hours of rehearsal that went in to the performance.

“There was a lot of Cornish support in the audience which created an amazing atmosphere on stage! Four of our members who were in the cabaret also completed this year’s ‘Wotnot’ which consisted of walking 110 miles of the week before AGM to get to Torquay and raising money along the way and then if that wasn’t enough two of those then competed in both the cabaret and the cheerleading.”

Launceston YFC’s cheerleaders competed in the national final on Sunday along with Camelford YFC.

Amy added: “Our cheerleaders did a fantastic job — they weren’t placed in the top three but were absolutely brilliant!”

For Devon, the Tarka Group secured 2nd place in the cheerleading. The Tarka Group clubs are — Bradworthy, Buckland Brewer, Clawton, Lewdown, Winkleigh and Woolsery.

l YOUNG Farmers had to be evacuated in the early hours of Sunday after a fire broke out at a Torquay hotel.

Guests were evacuated from the Bancourt Hotel after the large-scale fire broke out in the basement just after midnight.

All of the hotel’s guests, more than 100 people, were then given overnight accommodation at the Riviera International Conference Centre.

All of them were young farmers, staying in Torquay for their national conference at the centre.

Three people, including a staff member, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Torbay District Hospital, two suffering from smoke inhalation and another with a cut arm.

Detective Sergeant Andy Penhaligon from Torquay CID, said: “We are treating this incident as arson. Fortunately there were only three minor injuries but this reckless and purposeful action could have had far more serious, even fatal, consequences.

“Further enquiries are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of the fire and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or individual in or around the hotel at the time of the offence to contact us.

“I would pay credit to the firefighters and police officers, plus the hotel owners and staff, whose swift actions and partnership work ensured the safety of guests and members of the public, as well as the local community, Torbay Council and Street Pastors who provided tremendous support to the evacuated guests.”

Anyone who has information to assist the investigation is asked to contact police on [email protected] or by phone on 101, quoting reference number CR/030215/17.