TORRENTIAL overnight rain has flooded roads across the region and prompted a police warning to motorists.

The A19 is closed by flooding and an accident at Hutton Henry, County Durham, and also by flooding at Sheraton.

The A66 is also reported to be flooded between Darlington and Stockton.

The A690 is closed at Willington, and the A66 eastbound  is closed to HGVs due to a road collapse at Bowes.

In North Yorkshire, fire fighters are tackling flooding in Saxton, near Tadcaster, and Birstwith, near Harrogate.

The A174 Whitby to Scarborough road has been partially closed due to a cliff fall at Sandsend near Raithwaite Hall.

Police are warning drivers to take extra care due to the amount of standing water on the roads.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "We are asking motorists to be careful when driving on roads this morning due to heavy rainfall overnight.

"There is standing water on many roads throughout the force area and drivers are advised to proceed with caution.

"Officers are advising motorists to allow extra time for their journey, make sure they leave plenty of distance from the vehicle in front and avoid driving into standing water where possible."

The Environment Agency currently has 15 flood warnings and 22 flood alerts in place in its North-East region, which includes Yorkshire.