THE people of York were last night bracing themselves for another crisis after a brief respite from the worst floods in nearly 400 years.

Levels of the River Ouse dropped over the weekend, but last night Newcastle Weather Centre issued a severe weather warning for the region, predicting torrential rain and winds gusting up to 60mph.

Up to two inches of rain is forecast, and the downpours are expected to last until tomorrow.

Neil Talboys, of the PA WeatherCentre, said: "Even after it stops raining, there will be the delayed effect of water coming down from the hills. It is bad news for the flooded areas."

Last night, the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for North Yorkshire, including York, Naburn, Acaster Malbis, Kelfield, Barlby and Selby on the Ouse; and Elvington, Malton and Norton on the Derwent.

Tens of thousands of sandbags have been added to York's defences.

In the east Cleveland village of Skinningrove, about 300 people abandoned their homes for the second time in a week to avoid the predicted flooding.

Other North-East communities which have flooded over recent days were also anxiously watching water levels, including those living near the Gaunless in Bishop Auckland and villages along the Tees near Darlington.

Long-term relief could be on the way following the Government's announcement that it is to pump a further £51m into Britain's river defences.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who visited York yesterday, said the country had to accept that extreme weather would happen more frequently and the infrastructure had to be there to deal with it.

He said: "People tend to think this is going to come every 20 or 30 years. But climate change is making a fundamental difference."

Stemming the tide - Page