Residents across the South West are cleaning up after a soaking wet start to 2003.

West Cornwall was worst affected as the heavy rain sparked a series of floods and the Fire Brigade fielded 200 calls in a 17-hour period.

The village of Crowlas near Penzance was flooded again, the eighth incident since November, and an emergency meeting will be held on Thursday to discuss the issue.

In Devon a family from Newton Abbot is recovering after being cut off by flood waters while out walking their dog on Wednesday evening.

Weather warning

Firefighters helped lift the five to safety from the banks of the River Teign.

In Helston some flood victims have criticised the district council for not delivering sandbags quickly enough.

Several properties in the St John's area have been left badly damaged after the River Cober overflowed.

On Wednesday fire crews battled in vain to control the flood water, which rose to three feet in places.

Angela Webster's Helston home has been affected

And the torrential rain is thought to have caused a mineshaft to open in the Cornish village of Lanner.

The hole formed near the village green and has been sealed off by police.

Flood warnings

In Devon Paignton and Harbertonford were worst affected on Wednesday but there have been no further reports of serious flooding to property.

But Environment Agency flood warnings remain in force on a number of rivers across both counties.

People living near the affected rivers are being advised to check water levels, use sandbags or floodboards, and farmers should move livestock to higher ground.

More bad weather is forecast during Thursday, the Met Office has issued a warning of heavy rain affecting Devon and Cornwall.