RESIDENTS living near some of the region's largest rivers have been put on alert to expect flooding, following sustained heavy rain.

The Environment Agency said 17 flood warnings, where property owners are urged to take immediate action, remained in place across North Yorkshire and York last night as well as flood alerts for lengthy stretches of the rivers Swale, Ure and Ouse.

It said following the River Swale bursting its banks at various place between Catterick Bridge and its confluence with the River Ouse, north of York, properties were at risk of flooding in Kirby Wiske, near Northallerton, at Howe, Thornton Bridge and Myton-on-Swale, near Thirsk, at Roecliffe, near Ripon, Boroughbridge and Aldwark Bridge, near York.

It lifted flood alerts for the River Tyne and upper and lower River Tees, including low lying land in the Tees Valley from Croft and Middleton St George to the Tees Barrage, including Lustrum and Greatham becks.

North Yorkshire County Council said all roads and bridges remained open, while the county's fire service reported no flood-related incidents.

Former Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Mick Stanley, said the city, which has frequently been inundated in recent years, said a £14.4 million flood alleviation scheme that was completed last year appeared to be coping with the large volumes of water.

A Met Office spokeswoman said the flooding would be the most severe in the North Yorkshire area because until Sunday, it had rained there for five successive days, with a 14mm downpour at Leeming, near Bedale, and 21mm at Ravensworth, near Richmond on Saturday.

She said while Durham had seen 18mm of rain on Saturday and 12mm on Thursday, and Loftus 14mm on Saturday, there had been little or no rain between those downpours, giving the floodplains time to cope with the water.

She said several bands of rain were expected to cross the region in the coming days, with up to 40mm before Friday, and wintry showers at the weekend.