SEVERAL properties in Dartmouth came close to being underwater when heavy rain engulfed the town on Saturday afternoon.

Drains failed to cope with the downpour and fire crews were called to pump away surface water around Duke Street and Victoria Road.

Retail units in the Old Market were also vulnerable as water levels rose to within inches of shop doorways.

Mayor Cllr Rob Lyon said a special thank you to cafe owners Rob and Collette Smith who stayed behind late to hose down the market paving slabs and clear away the debris afterwards.

Three fire appliances from Dartmouth, Paignton and Brixham were called to flooding in the Charles Street area of town just before 3pm.

A fire spokesman said: ‘Pumping equipment was in use and the assistance of a South West Water officer as the sump pump in the town had a power failure.

Crews continued to pump water away from the properties affected.’