Pub collapses following heavy rain as flooding hits in Devon and Cornwall

Parts of the roof and wall have fallen down. Credit: Matt Gilley, FPS Images

A Devon pub has collapsed following a heavy downpour of rain.

It comes after major flooding hit parts of Cornwall and Devon, leaving some streets under water.

The Ship Inn at Cockwood, near Dawlish, has views over the River Exe. The site had to be closed after its roof collapsed and a wall fell down on Sunday 29 October.

The building is understood to be made from cob, a natural material.

The inside of the pub can be seen from the street. Credit: Matt Gilley, FPS Images

Residents and visitors have said the building appeared fine on the day before the collapse.

One visitor said: "It looks like the council has shut off part of the road. We were walking our dog past the pub on Saturday and there was nothing wrong at all, but when we went past today - well, it's all gone."

A spokesperson from Punch Pubs, which owns the site, said: “We were sorry to learn of the wall collapse at The Ship Inn on Sunday morning, and we are thankful that no one was hurt or injured.

Pictures show the wall collapsed next to a pub bench. Credit: Matt Gilley, FPS Images

"We are working hard with our publican, insurers and other relevant agencies to ensure the remaining pub structure is safe and then identify the extent of the damage.

"Until we have all of this information, we will not know how long the work will take to reinstate the pub and reopen it. We remain in continued communication with our publican, who will keep the community updated.”

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