FEARS of flooding were on the wane last night as river levels began to drop to their normal levels.

But, in the centre of York, the riverside was again a no-go area after the swollen River Ouse burst its banks.

Two flood warnings were in force - for the city centre and the area around Naburn, just south of the city.

Officials from the Environment Agency were monitoring the situation and conditions were expected to improve late last night.

The river peaked at about 11ft above normal in the late afternoon and was predicted to stay that way for a few hours before starting to drop