A senior Department for Education official visited possible sites for Tipton St John Primary School's relocation on Thursday (22 June).

It comes after Conservative MP for East Devon Simon Jupp called for the process to be sped up following flash-flooding in May, which saw the evacuation and rescue of children and staff.

Funding for a new school to replace the flood-hit primary was secured in December.

Simon Jupp MP said: "Action is needed now more than ever following recent flooding, which led to the evacuation of students and staff from Tipton St John Primary School.

"I've been working hard to ensure that every possible option to keep the school in the village is assessed whilst prioritising the safety of students and staff.

"I'm pleased to have helped secure a visit from the Department for Education within weeks of the recent flooding.

"I will continue to press for the urgent relocation of the school so we can find it the safe and long-term future it deserves."

The site assessment was carried out by Justinian Marr, who is Project Manager for the Department for Education's School Rebuilding Division.

Also attending were Simon Jupp MP, Simon Niles from Devon County Council, Schools Surveyor of the Diocese of Exeter Richard Power, Chair of the Governing Board of Otter Valley Federation Sarah Walls and Executive Headteacher of Tipton St John Primary School Amanda Fulford.