River levels on the rise as warnings put in place

LARGE parts of the South West were on flood alert yesterday as river levels rose, after several days of heavy showers.

Warnings were in place right across the region, affecting areas in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Officials were monitoring the water levels closely and promised to update warnings.

They said people should avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses, while motorists were advised to plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers which may be flooded.

Affected rivers included the Plym, Tory Brook and Yealm, in and around Plymouth.

In Devon, the Dart, Teign, lower Exe, middle Exe, Otter, Sid, Clyst and Culm and their tributaries were affected.

In Cornwall, the upper Tamar was affected. In Somerset, the Tone, Yeo and Parrett were listed. The moors around Muchelney and Thorney were also at risk.

In West Dorset, rivers and streams around Weymouth, along with the upper Frome, lower

Stour and upper Stour were all affected.