A YOUNG woman has become the second person to die in the severe storms that left 800 homes flooded in parts of England and Wales.

The 21-year-old was killed by a spruce tree in Exeter on Saturday evening after it fell on the tent she was living in.

The incident came two days after a man died when his car became wedged under a bridge near a ford in Chew Stoke, Somerset.

As thousands of people were left temporarily homeless by rising flood waters, particularly in the south-west of England, David Cameron pledged to ensure "everything is being done to help" those affected.

People were forced to flee their homes last night after the waters caused "serious threats to life" in villages in Cornwall.

The Prime Minister tweeted: "Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country.

"Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help."

The most severe flood warning was for the River Cober at Helston in Cornwall. The Environment Agency issued 221 flood warnings and 267 less serious flood alerts.

Mr Cameron made the promise to help as one emergency worker hit out at people for not using their common sense in the perilous conditions.

Nathan Hudson, general manager of West Midlands Ambulance Service, appealed for the public to stop endangering rescue workers' lives after ignoring warnings to leave their cars at home.

He said: "It is quite simple. Driving through flood water is inherently dangerous. A little bit of common sense from the public will ensure no-one's life is put in any unnecessary danger.

"Perhaps surprisingly, we have had to deal with a remarkable number of stuck 4x4s."

Fire and rescue pumps were sent to Perranporth, Cornwall, to help prevent further flooding after the river broke its banks. Millbrook was reportedly under 5ft of water, with 40 houses evacuated last night.

Trains were cancelled across the region between Exeter St Davids and Yeovil Junction and other routes..

Ten people were evacuated overnight from the tiny community of Portholland near Mevagissey after a landslip.

Devon and Cornwall Police said part of the cliff behind five houses had given way because of the weather. As a result, 10 people were evacuated and put up overnight in a local hotel.

In Plymouth, about 60 people were evacuated due to safety concerns in a dozen locations.

Emergency services also reported flooding from the River Avon in the historic town of Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Chris Harvey, watch manager, said: "It's the worst flooding I can remember in the town, certainly worse than in 2007."

Stephen Gilbert, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: "Yet again I call on the Government to reach an agreement with insurers that will keep flood insurance available and affordable."