Some flood warnings suspended while alerts remain in place for North-East and North Yorkshire

Flood warnings for several stretches of the Ure were issued with the warning for the River Ure at Masham no longer in force.

There is still a warning in effect for the Lower River Ure.

An agency spokesman said: "The current level at Boroughbridge is 14.9m and is starting to fall slowly. Our Incident Response teams remain on 24 hour duty. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this message accordingly."

Warnings were in place for the River Swale at Kirby Wiske, Myton on Swale, Helperby and Thornton Bridge, with the EA warnings that the river was still rising.

In York, river levels are also continuing to rise and flood warnings are now in place for riverside properties in the city centre and for the Ouse at St George's Field.

The Foss Barrier is in operation, an agency spokesman said, and several other small flood gates in the city have been closed.

Warnings covering the Tees at Linden Court, Baxby Terrace, Linden Drive, Hurworth Road and Tees View (A167), at Hurworth Place, as well as the caravan park at Newbus Grange, have now been lifted, although a less serious flood alert remains for upper stretches of the Tees. 

On Sunday, the A167 in Croft was the scene of major traffic problems due to a flood near the railway bridge.

At one point, police said traffic on the North Yorkshire side was backed up as far as East Cowton.

Traffic struggles to get through flood water on the A167 near Croft on Sunday.

The A167 is the main diversion for traffic unable to use the A1, which was closed for major roadworks at the weekend.

Flood gates at Yarm and Croft are closed. 

People are being advised to stay away from swollen rivers and if travelling, check the flood risk before setting off. 

Police in the Derwentside area of County Durham warned drivers to take extra care because of large areas of standing water.

North Yorkshire Police said it had received reports of flooding on minor roads in the Hawes and Helmsley areas.

An 83-year-old man had to be rescued from his car near Aysgarth on the A684 road after he got stuck in flood water.

Environment Agency staff discuss the situation with a family on the banks of the River Tees at Hurworth Place this morning.

The pensioner, who was said to be quite confused and suffering from early onset hypothermia, had been driving to Richmond.

Firefighters from Leyburn and Hawes went to the scene and the man was given first aid and oxygen therapy before being passed onto ambulance paramedics.

The A684 was also blocked to most vehicles at Wensley.

At nearby Middleham, four horses were rescued after trainer and former jockey Andy Crook waded into flood water to bring them to safety.

With the ground already sodden in many places the rain poses a serious risks of surface water flooding and the potential for rivers to burst their banks, experts say.

The River Nidd in Knaresborough. Picture: @KnaresPolice

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team was on standby on Sunday to help with flooding incidents.

It said: "Our water group are on stand by to support emergency services until Sunday 15.00hrs in case of floods with the predicted water levels we may get through the rather wet forecast over North Yorkshire." 

On Saturday night police said the occupants of a car had a lucky escapewhen the driver lost control in bad weather and the vehicle overturned.

The incident took place on Hartburn Lane in Stockton. Three people in the car were taken to North Tees Hospital in Stockton and later released after being checked over.

Cleveland and Durham Roads Policing Unit said the crash, pictured above, took place in "awful driving conditions".

The advice comes as the first snow of the winter falls on high ground in the Pennines.

The Environment Agency said its staff were already working hard to prepare by checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels.

Residents and businesses are advised to check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation at www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding, or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.