A NEW flood warning system aimed at helping to reduce the impact of future flooding in a beautiful Dartmoor village has been officially opened by the mayor of West Devon.

Cllr William Cann cut the ribbon to mark the official unveiling of the £6,000 project at South Zeal.

Cllr Cann himself lives in the village and knows well how much difference the new warning system will make.

He said: 'I'm delighted to see this project officially opened. It will help the residents of South Zeal sleep easier at night knowing they now have a warning system to alert them when flooding is possible.

'The project has very much been about the community working together with the council and other organisations. Everyone involved should be proud of what has been achieved.'

Fourteen homes were flooded in South Zeal in 2000, after heavy rain on the 550m high Cosdon Hill, above the village, 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.

Cllr Andy White from South Tawton Parish Council lives near the stream with his two children Christabel and Peter (pictured).

The family has been flooded three times.

Cllr White said: 'We are very grateful for the support from various people and organisations in particular West Devon Borough Council's Senior Engineer Jackie Smith.

'This system will give us reassurance and allow the community the vital time needed to prepare in the event of a flood.' 

When the water rises to a preset level, the warning system is triggered and automatically calls up to five telephone numbers to raise the alarm.

Residents can nominate who gets the alert and the message is then cascaded out to the rest of the community.

It aims to give people precious time to install protection measures such as flood boards and pumps.

West Devon Borough Council and the Environment Agency provided funding for the scheme working in partnership with South Tawton Parish Council.