TORRENTIAL rain brought misery to many parts of the North-East yesterday as half the month's usual rain fell in just six hours.

Worst hit were Redcar and villages in east Cleveland, with Skinningrove bearing the brunt as water became waist deep when the village beck became blocked, then burst its banks.

Some residents had to be rescued from their bedroom windows as flooding forced the evacuation of 60 homes.

A spokesman for PA WeatherCentre said up to 20mm of rain had fallen across the North. During a typical July, the North-East can expect 40mm of rain.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said it had attended almost 80 incidents in the Redcar and east Cleveland area.

A spokesman said: "We have been very busy. All our engineers have been called out at some stage to pump out water."

Some firefighters even required tetanus jabs after fears the water was contaminated.

Cleveland Police said several roads were closed and lifeboat crews from Redcar, Teesport and Staithes were called to help with rescue operations. The coastguard was placed on stand-by.

A spokesman said: "It is not what you expect in July, but it is just unbelievable. There has been such a deluge."

Events throughout the area were cancelled, including the Teesside Steel Family Gala, due to be held at Kirkleatham Showground.

Organiser Dave Adamson said: "It is very disappointing. There has been a lot of hard work for nothing, but we have no control over the elements."

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said it had opened an emergency refuge for flood victims at the James Finegan Hall in Eston and a rest centre at Rosecroft School in Loftus.

A mini rest centre was also set up at Timms Coffee House in Skinningrove