PARTS of East Cleveland were scenes of devastation this week after flash floods swamped villages.

Skinningrove was worst hit in Sunday's deluge. Firefighters rescued people from upstairs windows as flood water contaminated with sewage flowed through the streets.

Properties were evacuated, and some people fear it could be months before they will be able to return to their homes.

With health issues a major concern, Redcar and Cleveland council put a massive aid operation into action and has set £100,000 aside for emergency help.

Roads were closed in the chaos and many summer events were cancelled, among them the popular Teesside steel gala at Kirkleatham showground.

The council came under fire for not doing enough to prevent the flooding and for its emergency plan not being speedy enough.

Ward Coun Steve Kay said it had done nothing after similar floods two years ago, once again caused by Skinningrove beck overflowing as debris jammed under a low bridge.

"We have been campaigning for action ever since then," he said, "but nothing has been done. We can't go on like this."

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, DR Ashok Kumar, also called for action to prevent a repetition of the flooding which also hit areas such as Moorsholm, Carlin How, Lingdale, Boosbeck and Margrove Park.

Dr Kumar was in the stricken village of Skinningrove for four hours on Sunday and again on Monday listening to the heartbreaking stories of flood victims.

He also attended a Monday morning briefing session called by the council and was satisfied everyone was working flat out to get things back to normal.

A visibly shocked Coun Barbara Harpham, Conservative group leader on the council, said the people of Skinningrove had had a raw deal.

"All this could have been avoided if lessons had been learned," she said.

But all parties praised the efforts of emergency services and volunteers.

Coun Kay said coastguards had been heroic.

WRVS volunteers were drafted in to a special centre set up by the council in Skinningrove where towels, blankets, bottled water and meals were being distributed.

By Tuesday lunchtime, the volunteers had served more than 250 cups of tea or coffee and dished up about 100 hot meals.

Announcing the £100,000 aid package, council leader Coun David Walsh said the cash was to be used for immediate problems such as clothing, bedding, cooking and basic furniture. The council is also applying for government relief.

Daily update meetings are being held at the community centre with police and citizens' advice bureau among those taking part. The council also has four security guards working with police and residents.

The organiser of Teesside steel gala, Mr David Adamson, said: "A lot of hard work was put in for nothing, but we have no control over the elements."

See flood story page 5.