HEAVY rain caused sporadic flooding and put pressure on the emergency services this week.

Home owner Peter Seldon, who lives near Bedford Bridge between Tavistock and Horrabridge, witnessed raw sewage pouring out of a new sewer pipeline.

The sewage covered his fields and poured into the River Walkham.

The expensive pipeline was installed by South West Water last year but this week failed to cope with the extra water.

'I have lived here for 20 years and this week the situation has been worse than ever,' said Mr Seldon.

'At least five manholes popped up along the pipe and the raw sewage is just pouring into the fields and river.

'I know we have had a lot of rain but it is not extreme. I have seen far worse.

'South West Water spent a huge amount of money to overcome problems like this.'

SWW spokesman Stephen Swain said: 'Because of the huge amount of rain the storm water overflows built into the system have come into operation as they should.

'The sewer is obviously full and a few manhole covers along the pipe line have been lifted.

'The sewage is heavily diluted when you are in this situation but it has come out onto the fields.

'If South West Water hadn't spent the money on the pipeline between Horrabridge and the treatment works then there would have been a risk of more property flooding.

'We will always consider further improvements if necessary,' he said.

Rollings Bakery and Coffee Shop in Bedford Square, Tavistock, suffered its third flooding this winter.

Owner Louise Pedrick said the baker had found 18 inches of water in the cellar when he arrived to start work just after midnight.

'Equipment and stores are gone,' said Mrs Pedrick. 'We have had two or three inches of water in the bakery before but nothing like this.

'The fire brigade were here until 1.30am pumping out the cellar but the water was coming in as fast as they were pumping it out.

The men were just brilliant and were back again in the morning even though they were being stretched to the limit with calls.'

Mrs Pedrick said the shop opened yesterday morning as normal but the cafe was closed because of the flooding.

John Halliday of Devon County Council's local services group said six men and a road sweeping vehicle were called out to work on flooded roads at 5pm on Tuesday.

'The men finished as 2am and the road sweeper at 4am,' he said.

'Yesterday the council drafted eight men and vehicles, two diggers, a jetter and a road sweeper into the Tavistock area to cope with excess water and debris on the roads.

'Part of the problem is the sheer volume of water which has brought with it lots of debris, mud and stones leading to more difficult driving conditions,' added Mr Halliday.

He stressed drivers should adapt their speed to cope with the dangerous road surfaces.