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Police, fire crews and a coastguard helicopter from Portland all assisted in the search along the rain-swollen river, in an operation which started in Tiverton at around 5pm.

The alarm was raised after a resident in the Walronds, off Exeter Road, reported hearing a male voice shouting for help coming from the riverbank. When they looked out of their window the shouting had stopped and there was no one to be seen.

A member of the public also reported seeing a dog running loose close to the river, which was running extremely fast.

The focus of the search later moved further downstream to the Bickleigh area.

A police spokesman said the search was continuing as the Echo went to press, but there had been no definitive sighting of a person in the river and nothing had been recovered.

The dog which sparked the dramatic operation was described as a black, brown and white border collie, which was seen in the area opposite the Walronds at about 5pm yesterday.

Police were last night making inquiries to trace the owner to establish whether they were safe and well.

The search was launched amid fears that the owner may still be in the area around the Exe, or may have attempted to rescue the dog and been swept into the river.

Up to 11 police officers were involved in the search along with firefighters, while two helicopters circled overhead.

A large group of residents gathered close to the River Exe in Tiverton to try to find out what had happened, where the mood was one of concern and confusion.

Wayne Coles, who lives close to the river, said: "As I was going off to work this morning I saw how high the river was. Then I just saw it reported on the news that they were searching for someone. It is high at the moment, but it might be going to get worse because they say there is going to be more rain."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's swift water rescue unit was called to help in the search.

A spokeswoman for Portland Coastguard said its rescue helicopter had also been involved in the search.

"Coastguards, including those from Exmouth, are at the scene along with the fire service's swift water rescue divers," she said.

A police spokesman commended local assistance, with one farmer using a quad bike to patrol the banks.



BY RICHARD WEVILL

11:40 - 10 July 2008
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