Debris blocks the flood defences

Properties in Ottery St Mary have been flooded for the second time in two weeks after a multi-million pound flood defence scheme was overwhelmed.

The Environment Agency apologised to residents and said it was working hard to solve the problem.

Other areas affected include Plymouth, Paignton, Axminster and Bovey Tracey. More stormy weather has been forecast for Wednesday night.

'It's unbelievable'

The �4.2m flood defence scheme at Ottery St Mary was opened last year, but was blocked with debris on Tuesday night.

Jed Goodier, of Goodier's Newsagents in Ottery St Mary, said: "We have got used to it now, but it shouldn't happen.

"They spent �4m and they said it wouldn't happen again and it's happened twice since.

"It's unbelievable and we haven't even had winter yet."

We are struggling to pin-point what the problem is Area flood risk manager Adrian Rushworth

The Environment Agency has been monitoring the new defences daily since floods last month.

But area flood risk manager Adrian Rushworth said that despite a check at 2100 on Tuesday, they were taken by surprise by the flooding.

"We knew bad weather was coming so we thought we'd keep an eye on it, " he said.

"A lot of debris was cleared before the flooding occurred, but it happened very quickly. The sheer volumes are overwhelming the screens."

He said that the agency would be talking to local people on Wednesday to reassure them that action would be taken.

He said: "I have tremendous sympathy for their situation.

"We are struggling to pin-point what the problem is. But whatever it is we are working very hard to make it work.

"It works elsewhere so there is no reason why we can't make it work there."