Clean-up starts after storm chaos

Lightning started a fire at a house in Plympton

A major clean up operation is under way after heavy overnight storms brought flooding to parts of Devon.

There were at least 60 incidents on Tuesday night with south Devon particularly badly affected.

Homes were flooded in Torquay, Totnes, Dartmouth and Shaldon after lightning strikes on a house and school in Plymouth earlier in the day.

In Ashburton, at least 10 properties were affected, including two pubs and the bakery.

Lynn Goodman, landlady of the Royal Oak, said: "We've been here 13 years and we've never seen anything like this. We've never been flooded."

There was a loud bang and a big blue flash Michael Uglow

Meanwhile in Plymouth a family home was struck by lightning. The subsequent fire destroyed much of the roof of the house in Plympton.

The same storm also struck Hele's School nearby.

Head teacher Michael Uglow told BBC News: "There was a loud bang and a big blue flash which hit the administration building.

"It was fairly impressive, but there has been no damage. The house fire was close by so staff shepherded pupils away from the area."

Devon and Cornwall Police said their phone system had been knocked out after lightning struck the main communications mast at police headquarters.

Emergency telephone lines were not affected but non-emergency calls could no longer be handled in Exeter, and were being diverted to Plymouth.

The public was warned there may be delays in getting through, and it may be quicker for people to visit their local police station.