EMERGENCY services were facing a race against time last night as a second storm front threat to wreak further havoc across the region.

The 100mph winds and driving rain that battered the North-East and Yorkshire over the weekend are expected to return tonight and last until early tomorrow.

Forecasters are predicting gale conditions again, while rescue workers warned householders and business owners to batten down the hatches.

Experts at the Met Office were tracking the storm front last night as it approached from the Atlantic.

Although the worst-affected areas are expected to be Scotland, they issued a severe weather alert for the North-East and North Yorkshire and predicted damaging gusts of 60mph or more.

Ray Khaliq, quality and risk manager for Cleveland Fire and Rescue Brigade, said: "Damage caused in the storms over the weekend will be like an open wound to the wind.

"If we have more bad weather the chances of a lot more damage are high, and that's a concern."

The brigade received a record number of weather- related calls on Saturday, and, along with firefighters in County Durham and Tyne and Wear, it was stretched to the limit.

Electricity workers were still working flat out yesterday to restore power to 7,000 customers in County Dur-ham, the North York Moors and on Teesside.

More than 143,000 properties affected by the blackout on Saturday have had electricity returned, and bosses said staff would be working tirelessly to clear up the remainder.

Rail and air services in the region were back to normal by yesterday, but problems with train and flight cancellations could return if the weather is as bad as forecast.

Mr Khaliq said: "The longer the bad weather goes on or the more episodes we have close together, the higher the likelihood is that there is going to be more damage.

"It may well be that a property or trees have been weakened by what has happened over the weekend, and could be damaged further or felled in the next storm.

"Some buildings could have been damaged and not made safe yet because people have not been able to get hold of a roofer or builder quickly enough."

The gale damage has also prompted a warning from police chiefs about cowboy builders who could be looking to cash in on the wreckage.

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said: "The bad weather, unfortunately, offers yet another potential opportunity for conmen.

"We would urge people to be very conscious of anyone who simply turns up unannounced at the door, offering to do roofing or any other kind of work.

"You can always seek advice from the local trading standards department, and if you have any concerns or doubts, ring the police."

l Three people killed in the floods that cut off Carlisle over the weekend were named yesterday.

The bodies were discovered on Saturday after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks.

They were Margaret Isobel Threlkeld, 79, and Margaret Stainthorpe Porter, 85, both of Warwick Road, Carlisle, and Michael Scott, 63, from Hethersgill, near Brampton.

Inquests were opened and adjourned yesterday at Carlisle Coroner's Court.

Forecasters last night warned of more rain for Carlisle today.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected at about lunchtime, but the downpour should last only an hour or two, they said.

But they warned of severe weather conditions further north, with winds gusting at up to 100mph in north-west Scotland.

PA WeatherCentre forecaster Paul Knightley said: "In the Carlisle area, it is hoped that the storm will move through quickly, with the rainfall lasting only an hour or two.

"So though it is not going to help, it should not cause them any major problems."

Storm aftermath - Pages 8 & 9