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

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

Torrential rain has caused flooding cross the county with homes and roads in Devon affected.

The worst flooding has been in Paignton town centre and Upton in Torquay.

The water has come down faster than it ever has before to us Ann Barnes Harbertonford resident

And in Harbertonford, where work on a new flood defence scheme was completed just four weeks ago, there was some flooding but most residents said the defences had proved successful.

Most villagers were spared a repeat of the flooding they have endured in the past thanks to the dam upstream.

"We never thought we'd see this quite so suddenly tested," said Ann Damerell.

"It's proved everything that they've done, it's absolutely wonderful," she said.

But residents affected downstream are not so convinced.

"They've improved conditions in the village by making the water run faster and deeper," said Ann Barnes.

"And it has come down faster than it ever has before to us."

The Environment Agency is investigating why two downstream properties have suffered so badly.

Move livestock

Flooding to four other cottages in the village was blamed on road run-off due to blocked drains.

Environment Agency flood warnings remain in force on a number of rivers across the county.

People living near the affected rivers are being advised to check water levels and use sandbags or floodboards.

Farmers are being advised to move livestock to higher ground.

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