EMERGENCY services have issued a warning about the dangers of flooding after a man and his 11-year-old nephew became stranded on an island in a fast-flowing river.

The pair were trapped about 15 metres from the banks of the River Swale at Great Langton, near Northallerton, as floodwaters rose rapidly.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service sent teams from Richmond and Northallerton to the scene at about 6.30pm on Sunday, but had to wait for a water rescue unit from York to arrive before they could reach the 35-year-old man and the boy.

They are understood to have become stranded on the island at about midday but delayed calling the emergency services in the hope that the floodwaters would recede.

The officer in charge, divisional officer Colin Chadfield, said: "The man and the boy were trapped on an island in the river approximately 15 metres from the riverbank.

"They were very calm and I am sure they were re-assured by our presence and knew their ordeal would soon be over.

"They were not in imminent danger and a snatch rescue was not required.

"The River Swale, which is known as a very fast-flowing river, was swollen.

"Consequently, we were not able to ascertain how deep the water was and rather than risk injury to our firefighters, a more controlled rescue with the water rescue unit was more appropriate.

"Very soon after the arrival of the water rescue unit we were able to send firefighters into the river and rescue the man and the boy. They were checked over by waiting paramedics and by 7.44pm they were on their way."

Mr Chadfield added that the rescue should serve as a warning to anyone trapped by flooding to contact the emergency services as soon as possible.

"I would prefer we are called to perform a rescue and find our services are not needed, rather than find we were not called out until it was too late and we are facing a tragedy," he said.