NORTH Devon is to receive two sizeable chunks of funding from the latest round of Defra's flood protection grants.

Environment minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the second round of a £5.5m grant scheme which will see £247,000 headed to the South West, to help thousands of householders better protect their homes against flooding.

North Devon Council will receive its share of the cash, with two grants, for £28,500 and £34,200.

They will then be responsible for delivering protection schemes, tailored to the needs of their communities.

The £28,500 has been allocated to protect five homes in Braunton and the £34,200 to protect six homes in Hele, Ilfracombe.

The council will now begin investigations and survey work.

The Property Level Flood Protection Grant Scheme is part of the Government's response to Sir Michael Pitt's review of the 2007 floods.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "In the future we must be prepared for more extreme weather on all levels. There are 490,000 properties at significant risk of river or coastal flooding in England.

"Since the floods of 2007 we have been taking action on a range of fronts to protect against the heart breaking damage and destruction that can be caused by floods."