THE weather continued to bring misery to many people across the region as melting snow and heavy rain brought flooding to some parts.

Following the freezing temperatures and blizzards between Christmas and New Year, the region yesterday faced torrential rain, which took some river levels perilously high.

Residents in North Yorkshire took the brunt of the downfall, and last night the Environment Agency issued Flood Watches, the first level of its early warning system, for Stamford Bridge on the banks of the River Ouse, as well as for the North York Moors.

The road through Gilling West was closed by flooding, but in Richmond the story was different after a mains burst left 1,800 homes without water.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "The burst occurred somewhere at the clean water inlet at the Diddersley Hill reservoir.

"However, as engineers had difficulty locating it, the supply dried up as people continued to use water from there." The supply was expected to be re-established by about midnight last night.

Part of the A168 at Thornton-le-Street, between Northallerton and Thirsk, was under water, as was the A684 between Osmotherley and Northallerton.

The A6108 Scotch Corner to Skeeby road was closed, and standing water was also causing delays on the A167 at Great Smeaton, near the Tollbar garage.

Flooding is thought to have caused a three-car shunt on the A1 north-bound at Scotch Corner, just after 5pm last night. No one was seriously injured.

In County Durham, the Skerne rose considerably throughout the day, and residents in Firth Moor Crescent, Darlington, described a "river" running down the street.