A NEW flood warning system is to be set up in South Zeal this month following a £6,000 grant for the project.

Residents will now be provided with an hour's warning of potential flooding, giving enough time to install flood boards and pumps purchased last year, preventing water affecting 14 homes under threat in the village.

These homes were flooded in 2000 after heavy rain on Cosdon Hill sent a deluge of water down the Ramsley stream. The 70-metre culvert carrying the stream under properties and the road through the village was overwhelmed.

West Devon Borough Council applied for grants which resulted in last year's £30,000 scheme for flood boards and pumps. The village also joined Exercise Watermark, a nation-wide flood readiness exercise. In a trial run, the residents installed their new flood protection boards in 30 minutes, well within the hour's warning the system provides.

The new grant is from the Environment Agency, with South Tawton Parish Council pledging a further contribution. The new warning system will be installed this spring.

Peter Brotherton, South Tawton Parish Council clerk, said: 'I think we all sleep more comfortably at night since these new flood protection measures have been put in place.

'The striking thing is the community spirit that has been engendered. The community is obviously well aware of all the help and assistance we have been given by West Devon Borough Council, local MPs, and other agencies who contributed to the success of this venture.'

The project has been a true joint venture, with work from West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council, the Environment Agency, South West Water and Dartmoor National Park Authority supported by the efforts of villagers.

Senior engineer Jackie Smith said: 'I am delighted to hear that the funding bid has been successful. It is a pleasure to work with the community in South Zeal and I look forward to getting this project

underway.

'The system is quite simple. When the water rises to a preset level, the system is triggered and calls up to five telephone numbers to raise the alarm. Residents can nominate who receives the alert, and they cascade the message onwards.

'The residents of South Zeal are very proactive. Peter Brotherton and Andy White, the parish council chairman, have been the driving force.

'They are the real stars here.'