Homes and businesses in the South East will be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion under plans published today by the Government and Environment Agency.

The North Devon company that caused a pollution incident leading to a devastating fish kill on the River Mole near South Molton has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £9,836 in costs.

Over £860m to be invested in flood alleviation schemes this year with further action including improvements to flood insurance

90 projects awarded grants to accelerate action to support 2,500 jobs, plant almost a million trees and boost nature recovery across the country

Work on the pioneering Lower Otter Restoration Project, which will see the river estuary adapted and enhanced in the face of a rapidly changing climate, has begun