VILLAGERS in Hurworth, near Darlington, were last night preparing for the worst after a flood alert was placed on the River Tees.

The river was continuing to rise following days of heavy rain and was expected to peak in the village during the evening.

Earlier in the day Croft Bridge, which crosses the Tees at Hurworth, was closed by police amid fears that structural damage could be caused by the swollen river.

Police were advising motorists intending to use the A167 Northallerton road south of the Blands Corner roundabout to use the A1 motorway instead.

Rail travellers were also hit when part of the track at Croft was flooded, cutting off the line between York and Darlington, which was replaced by a bus service.

Pupils at Hummersknott School, in Darlington, were told to stay off school until at least Wednesday, after a flooded boiler had forced it to close.

Thousands of sandbags had been distributed by Darlington Borough Council staff among Hurworth and Neasham residents, in preparation for floods.

A rest centre was also opened at Hurworth Comprehensive School in case of evacuation, although it was not expected to be used.

Hurworth councillor Roderick Burtt said: "People are obviously very concerned and have been very grateful for the help from the council."

In Neasham, which flooded on Friday when the Kent Beck burst its banks, firefighters spent most of the day pumping surface water back into the River Tees.

The fear of floods also led to the cancellation of a parish council meeting, which had been due to discuss the recent problems.

Numerous roads were closed, including the road from Darlington to Neasham and the back road out of Sedgefield racecourse, while the A167 road, at Coatham Mundeville, was only passable with care.

In Teesdale, heavy rain during Sunday night and yesterday morning brought reports of flooding in roads and villages across the dale.

Bowes was again the worst-affected area, with the A66 west of the village partially-flooded and the road closed to high-sided vehicles and caravans.

Other flood hit areas included Laneside in Middleton-in-Teesdale, Low Houses in Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Bowlees and Cross Lane at Greta Bridge.

The B6274, between Staindrop and Winston, was also badly hit, and although the road remained open yesterday, police warned motorists to avoid using that route if possible.