Winds and torrential rain left one person dead and forced hundreds from their homes – as David Cameron promised the Government would "ensure everything is being done to help".

The Prime Minister's comments came as the Environment Agency revealed more than 800 homes have been flooded, with thousands of motorists rescued from water-logged roads.

A woman was killed when she was crushed by a tree as winds hit southern England, bringing the week's weather-related death toll to two.

Forecasters have warned worse may still be to come, with further rainfall and 60mph winds expected.

Experts have warned people the conditions pose a "serious threat to life".

Rainfall is estimated to be around 15mm across the spine of Britain today, less than the 30mm of rain in pockets of the West Country, but meteorologists said it would offer little respite to weary homeowners keen to begin the clean-up.

Mr Cameron wrote on Twitter: "Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help."

Although yesterday saw a temporary respite, the Environment Agency has continued to issue warnings, with more than 500 alerts now in place.

One severe flood warning remains in place for the River Cober in Helston, Cornwall.

At one point this weekend, four were in place.

More than 500 alerts have now been issued, including nearly 230 flood warnings and confined largely to the Midlands as bands of rain which brought destruction to the South West moved northwards.

There were serious problems across Britain and Wales, with Yorkshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire badly affected yesterday.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon met with people in Malmesbury where 3ft (90cm) of water was reported in some parts of the Wiltshire town. He described the clear-up work as "heroic", adding: "While many houses have been flooded, some haven't because of the efforts of these people."

Both the RAC and AA breakdown services reported surges in flood-related call-outs as roads and highways across the country were closed due to perilous standing water.

National Rail said the severe weather is disrupting services across the South West.