BUSINESSES in Buckfastleigh have been rocked by a meteoric rise in their insurance excess charges after this winter's floods.

So far just a handful of unsuspecting traders have received the bad news – but others are likely to follow as their annual policies are renewed.

The astronomical increases have already prompted crisis talks between county and district councillor Stuart Barker and Central Devon MP Mel Stride with the aim of using government influence to pressurise insurance companies to exercise more restraint and apply 'realistic' charges.