Isolated spots in Devon and Cornwall were hit by heavy rain yesterday as an Atlantic weather front passed over the South West.

Plymouth suffered a mid-afternoon deluge with one third of the normal average rainfall for September falling in one day.

More than 30mm (1.2 inches) was dumped on the city as the storm was intensified by high ground on Dartmoor.

Barry Grommett, of the Met Office, said low pressure had replaced the high from last week and the latest front had hit the Isles of Scilly in the "early hours" of yesterday morning.

"We are in for an unsettled few days and a much wetter week is in prospect," he said.

"It will be a question of dodging the showers."

Despite the high levels recorded, there were no major flooding problems reported and the Environment Agency did not issue any flood warnings.

A spokesman said the rain had been less than expected.

The front will have moved to the east of the country by mid afternoon today and the forecast for the week is for sunshine and showers.