South West Water are facing a credibility crisis over their recently announced plan to invest £3million in Ivybridge sewer network.

South Hams district councillor Tony Barber was among the most outspoken of the doubters after the water company announced it is planning to spend the money on upgrading the town's sewage treatment system.

'My first reaction was don't hold your breath,' he said.

'Which, on second thoughts, became "are they including a pig-flying stable?"

'As far as Ivybridge is concerned, there are two separate issues, one is to deal with the problems of smells and a leaking siphon by the A38 and the other is to ensure adequate capacity for both the existing homes and businesses and those in the planned development east of the town.

For the full story see this week's Ivybridge and South Brent Gazette