MOTORISTS are being urged to take care driving through parts of County Durham, North Yorkshire and Teesside after torrential rain this morning.

The A688 between Staindrop and Barnard Castle was closed between 12.30pm and 1.30pm due to flooding but has now reopened, although the road is described as "just passable" between Prospect Place, in Barnard Castle, and the A67 Bede Road.

The A66 at Bowes was also temporarily closed after a car broke down but the vehicle has now been removed.

Durham Police are warning the road is still being affected by large amounts of surface water.

The A67 at Whorlton remains closed after flooding the village and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

The force say there has been no reports of any casualties or evacuations in the area as yet, but the emergency services remain on standby.

Elsewhere in County Durham, the A691 at Lanchester, which was badly affected by last Thursday’s floods, is described as "passable with care" due to surface water caused by heavy rain in the area.

Durham County Council staff are at the scene trying to clear the drains.

The weather is also affecting the A690 between Crook and Willington, with flooding between the A689 at Elliott Street and Manor Road.

Motorists are advised to approach the area with care.

Gilling West, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, is thought to have been flooded, and problems are also being reported on Teesside.

Forecasters are predicting the heavy rain will last for the next two days.

The Environment Agency has said on Saturday, there is up to two and a half inches, or six centimetres of widespread rain expected across some places in Yorkshire and the North-East, and some areas could even get up to four inches or ten centimetres of rain.

The ground is still saturated from the rain the region has already experienced, meaning that river levels are more likely to respond quickly to heavy rainfall.

David Dangerfield, regional director for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire and the North-East said: “Our current forecasts mean we could be issuing widespread flood alerts and warnings, so we urge people to be prepared.

“Yorkshire and the North-East has experienced some severe weather in recent weeks, and with further rain forecast for the next few days, people should remain vigilant, check local weather forecasts, and the Environment Agency website for information."

More information to follow