REPAIRING bridges, walls and roads, destroyed in last summer's freak floods and storms in the North York Moors National Park has cost more than £3.5m.

North Yorkshire County Council's (NYCC) executive was told this week that road repairs alone cost more than £1m.

A further £1m was needed for repairs to bridges in the aftermath of the violent storm that caused the River Rye to burst its banks in the Hawnby, Fangdale Beck, Boltby, Thirlby and Helmsley area.

John Moore, NYCC's finance director, said in a report that a grant claim of £1,056,000 has been made to the Government, under what is known as the Bellwin Scheme, which aids such emergencies.

He says the final bill could be higher that the £3,543,000 earmarked so far, depending on the cost of repairing Shaken Bridge, near Hawnby.

The NYCC's share of the bill will come from its local transport plan budget.

Meanwhile, a new online discussion site for flood victims has been set up by Middlesex University's floor hazard research centre.

Tracey Coates, a research student tutor who is heading the project, said: "Flooding is a traumatic experience that can cause many months of disruption and stress, as many poeple in Ryedale know.

"Victims can feel isolated, and uncertain of the best course of action, as few people have direct experience of the devastation caused by water. By bringing flood victims together, they can support one another, both practically and emotionally."

The university is working with the National Flood Forum (NFF) on the scheme.

NFF co-ordinator Mary Dhonau said: "Due to climate change, flooding is a growing problem worldwide.

"The interchange of information and views will, we hope, help increase our knowledge of it and ways in which floods can be coped with."

To log into the discussion, visit www.floodforum.org.uk