HEARTBROKEN residents are mopping up after their Devon homes were hit by freak floods.

They fell victims to heavy rainfall overnight yesterday which brought chaos to parts of Devon.

Residents in Bulverton Park, Sidmouth, woke to find their properties under inches of water at 4am yesterday. Three detached houses on the small estate were swamped after main drains were unable to cope with rainfall and water spilled over on to a main road.

Pensioners Angela and Derek Partridge were woken by neighbours.

"The water was two or three inches deep and our downstairs rooms were underwater," said Mrs Partridge.

"It was pumped away by the fire brigade which was called out by our neighbours.

"All our carpets are ruined, but it could have been a lot worse. We are waiting for our insurance assessors to look at the damage — we might have to move out while our wooden floors are replaced."

Neighbours, who did not want to be named, said the damage caused would cost thousands of pounds to put right.

Police closed the road from the Bowd into Sidmouth for several hours when floodwater made it near impassable for vehicles.

The A3052 between Exeter and Seaton was turned into a river in places and an earth bank which collapsed at Boshill Cross, near Colyford, closed part of the road.

Potholes caused by the flooding added to problems for drivers, especially at Putts Corner, near Honiton.

The Environment Agency's emergency team was on duty at Ottery St Mary, which has endured more than its share of flooding recently, from 3am.

Luckily, the town escaped an emergency, said an agency spokesman.

However, they reported sodden fields and during the morning downgraded rivers like the Axe, Coly and Coln to floodwatch status.

"We immediately mobilised our workforce which is called to Ottery during heavy rainfall to check that flood screens are not blocked," said the spokesman.

Local councillor Roger Giles said Ottery escaped a repeat of what happened on October 30 last year when dozens of homes were flooded.

Mr Giles said: "The levels of the River Otter and the Furze Brook rose rapidly."

All Exeter City Council sports pitches have been closed for fixtures and training today due to waterlogging. There will be pitch inspections at King George's (all pitches), and Hamlin Lane, pitches four and five only, tomorrow morning to assess their suitability for Sunday's fixtures.