VICTIMS of the flash floods in North Yorkshire will get the chance to speak to officials at drop-in surgeries next week.

They can put their questions to the Environment Agency's flood experts who will be at a surgery in Helmsley on Monday and in Thirsk on Wednesday.

A member of the National Flood Forum will also be there and organisers hope that council officers and members of the emergency services will also be able to attend.

Area flood defence manager Peter Holmes said: "Sunday's flooding was so sudden and so devastating that people have been left with many questions about how it happened.

"We hope to answer these questions at the surgery and provide support for them and advice for the future.

"Many parts of the area had no history of flooding and it is vital that people have as much information as possible so they can try to recover from their ordeal."

About 30 officers from the Environment Agency have been working in the Helmsley area since Sunday.

Teams have been gathering information by talking to residents, gauging water depths, tracing flow paths and finding the causes of the flooding.

Others have been investigating potential pollution problems caused by the flooding and nine officers are combing river banks and watercourses from Hawnby to Nunnington.

They are looking for debris, such as fallen trees in the waterways, which could pose a flood risk.

Environment Agency staff are also appealing to residents to help them understand the flooding issues in their area by filling out a questionnaire and sending in photographs.

Residents can ring (01904) 822537 for a copy of the questionnaire and a pre-paid envelope. The surgeries will be held at: Helmsley Town Hall, on Monday from 3pm to 9pm and Thirsk Town Hall on Wednesday from 3pm to 9pm.