YOU kindly printed a letter from me suggesting that residents clear their leaves and drains around their properties to reduce the risk of flooding and resulting damage.

I have been advised that West Devon Borough Council has increased the leaf sweeping in our area, plus residents have been very active in keeping their areas as clear as they can. Highway engineers have said that the flooding could have been much worse had residents and WDBC not been so active. This has been useful because there have been so many areas where the flooding has been so very serious that the teams have had to concentrate on the critical areas.

 I would like to thank residents for doing this, plus I would like to add that although people should try to help themselves by protecting their homes and businesses from flooding, they should not put themselves or others at risk in the process, Flood water poses risks for everyone, regardless of how deep the water is or their swimming ability. It should be remembered that flood water is likely to contain contaminants and debris.

Cllr Debo Sellis

County Councillor, Tavistock ward