Residents and business leaders were breathing a sigh of relief this morning after the threat of serious flooding appeared to have eased.

River levels in York were dropping gradually today after the River Ouse hit its peak last night, the Environment Agency said.

Around 12 properties in the city centre were flooded yesterday but a spokesman for the agency said the peak of 4.1 metres (13ft 4ins) above normal was lower than expected.

In the devastating floods of Autumn 2000 the level of the River Ouse hit 5.4 metres (17ft 7ins) above normal.

The spokesman said: "The peak hit York at 6pm last night and now the levels are dropping. "The peak is now heading downstream and should hit Selby at about 10am."

But the spokesman said the level expected at Selby - which was also badly hit in the Autumn 2000 floods - was predicted to be contained by flood defences.

The spokesman said showers were expected in the Yorkshire area over the next 24 hours but no major rainfall.