TORRENTIAL downpours and gale-force winds have continued to inflict relentless misery and damage across Teignbridge and the rest of the region.

The Christmas storms, which claimed a life in Newton Abbot, have not let up in the new year with one Bishopsteignton businessman killed in a car crash in Cornwall which may have been caused by the bad weather.

Andrew West, aged 59, and joint boss of Exeter-based KandyToys, died when his Jaguar car crashed off the westbound A30 into trees outside Launceston on Friday morning.

Police say conditions at the time were poor with the road surface wet after a period of heavy rain.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident which happened at 8.10am at Two Bridges.