RESIDENTS in a Dartmoor village have asked their local MP to support them in their campaign to stop regular flooding in the village.

South Zeal Parish Council has enlisted the support of Mel Stride MP to lend weight to their demands that South West Water move a sewage pipe, which they say contributes to the risks of the River Taw flooding in the centre of their community.

Mr Stride last week met with parish clerk and chair of the Flood Defence Group, Peter Brotherton, to see the problem for himself and has pledged to write to the water company to help find a solution to the problem.

The flood group was set up in 2001 after concerns were raised about flooding in the village.

Mr Brotherton said the pipe, which goes under a road alongside the river in the centre of South Zeal, reduces the capacity for the river to flow, and so causes regular flooding, especially after periods of heavy rainfall when water flows off Dartmoor into the river.

Mr Brotherton said: 'South West Water have been very helpful, within their means. You have to remember they are a company trying to make money.

'However, it is their responsibility, and we hope they will come through in the end and complete the plans they have to remove the sewer pipe which surveys have shown impedes the flow of the river.'

Mr Brotherton said a number of projects had already been completed, largely due to the influence of Jackie Smith from West Devon Borough Council, but that more needed to be done. Ms Smith is currently working to develop an early warning system, which will give householders more notice of an imminent flash flood.

Following an inspection of the river last Friday, Mel Stride said: 'I will contact South West Water on behalf of the village and see how the company can help to address the situation for South Zeal.'

West Devon Borough councillor Bill Cann said: 'This really is an important issue for South Zeal. The parish council has worked very hard, alongside the borough council and in particular Jackie Smith.

'The county council also helps by removing buildups in the culvert. This kind of cooperation is what we need to see continuing, in spite of looming budget cuts.'

A spokeswoman from South West Water told the Times: 'We are aware of concerns regarding flooding in South Zeal and have met residents and representatives from West Devon Borough Council to discuss the matter, which we believe is primarily a land drainage issue.

'Although we have upgraded the sewer concerned, there are no current plans to move it. An unrelated scheme to prevent sewer flooding may result in the removal of the pipe in the future.'

l Pictured above, left to right, are Peter Brotherton, Mel Stride MP and Cllr Bill Cann.