DEVON councillors have agreed to spend £1.3 million on major flood prevention schemes, with a key focus on the South Hams.

This comes a year after hundreds of homes and businesses in the South Hams and across Devon were flooded.

The planned work includes investment in new debris grills in Modbury, Yealmpton and Ivybridge and CCTV investigations on an old culvert in Modbury.

Feasibility studies and detailed investigations will be carried out in a number of high risk areas including Kingsbridge, Modbury, Aveton Gifford and Ivybridge.

'In some cases this will assess culverts and surface run-off to examine the flood risks and possible improvement options.

The council will also provide £50,000 of funding to deliver minor improvements in Modbury and to carry out a detailed project appraisal, required to support a national funding bid for improved flood protection in the towns.

Devon County Council, have been working closely with South Hams Council, the Environment Agency and South West Water, in carrying out initial investigations of areas that have been prone to flooding.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, DCC cabinet member for highway management and flood prevention, said: 'Communities across Devon were devastated by last year's floods and that impact is still being felt.

'This initial flood risk management programme has been prioritised, based on the number and frequency of properties flood.

'Additionally, the programme will be regularly reviewed and subject to change as works are progressed.

'The delivery of short-term schemes with immediate benefits need to be progressed as quickly as practical.

'While the medium to long term schemes must also be developed to ensure they are ready for implementation when funding becomes available.

'The flood risk management team will be working closely with the councils, Environment Agency and South West Water to ensure a joined up approach is maintained throughout.'

Devon County Council is also preparing surface water management plans across the county, the results of which will be included in the local flood risk management strategy, which is currently being developed for publication in 2014.