Joanna Evans and Alan Spencer, of Victoria Heights, Dartmouth, writes:

We write with reference to the article Town centre 'minutes away from flooding', December 28.

There were two references to 'flooding' that allegedly occurred at Victoria Heights, to which firefighters were called at around 9.20am.

There are nine properties at Victoria Heights; only one suffered a landslip causing mud and water to slip into the back garden, down the side steps and onto the roadway. The fireman assisted by ensuring that the outflow skirted the property and did not seep into the back of the house. No other properties were affected in any way.

This information was clearly communicated by Watch Commander Neil Whitemore in his official report on all the incidents dealt with by Dartmouth firefighters.

In fact, we communicated with Neil after we read the article and he confirmed he had been misquoted and that he had reported the incident had only affected one property.

We are therefore very surprised and concerned that reporter Steve Peacock had to resort to hyperbole and the misplaced use of the 'plural'.

The gossip and speculation about the state of our properties has been most unsettling.

We are all very much aware that properties anywhere in this country that are at risk from flooding are unfairly treated by insurance companies and their market value depreciates.

Our properties were never in any danger from flooding last week but  careless reporting has planted the seed of doubt in the collective consciousness of the wider community.