MELTING snow and persistent rain caused flooding in areas of the region on Tuesday.

One lane of the A1(M) was closed on the northbound carriageway near Junction 52 at Catterick. The entry slip road to the northbound carriageway was also been closed.

Three fire appliances were in attendance at the bottom of Maiden Law Bank, in Lanchester, assisting with the pumping out of deep standing water which is completely blocking one side of the carriageway.

St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre, at Lanchester, has been forced to close due to extensive flooding. 

Headteacher Neville Harrison said: “I got a phone call at about 6am to say the site was flooded. I got here at about 6.30am and the car parks were flooded.

“A stream of water was coming down Maiden Law Bank and was gathering at the bottom of the bank.

“It was obvious that we could not open. Our wonderful site team have been doing a clearing up operation. We hope to open tomorrow.

“The unknown is what happens tonight and how the snow melts. There is still an awful lot of water coming, so it is unpredictable.

“We want to get back to normal educating our children as soon as possible.

“We had a partial opening on Monday but our intention was to open the full school today.

“We had so many offers of help from parents. They appreciate we are trying to keep everyone safe in very difficult circumstances. They understand the problems we are trying to deal with.

“The main road through Lanchester was blocked but that cleared around 10.30am and the cars are flowing quite nicely. I think it has been worse in the past.”

There were also reports of flooding on the A177 at Sedgefield, A688 at Coundon and the A689 at High Grange, between Howden-le-Wear and Toronto, near Bishop Auckland.

Station Road at Ushaw Moor was closed both ways due to flooding around B6302 Broom Lane. 

The road out of Shadforth, Durham, was flooded due to the stream bursting its banks.

Cleveland Police received reports of flooding in Saltburn on Saltburn Lane from the Skelton roundabout down to Rushpool Hall.

The A19 at the Tesco roundabout was flooded due to water running from the adjacent fields.

Durham police urged motorists to take care while driving and allow extra time for journeys as melting snow and persistent rain are leading to routes becoming waterlogged and flooded.

Jane Davis, who has been headteacher at Lanchester EP (Controlled) Primary School for 12 years, said at least 95 per cent of her 400 pupils had made it into school despite the flooding.

She said: "We sent out a message on social media this morning to let parents know that school would start at 10am because parents bringing pupils in, and staff, had been held up because of the flooding on the bypass. Some people were held up for about 90 minutes.

"We were determined to open today, but have also had to deal with no gas in the school kitchen, so we are currently in the middle of making a picnic lunch for the pupils. I think there was some concerns that we were panic buying when we went to the shops for bread for sandwiches."

The school was closed for three days last week because of the snow, but about 70 parents turned out on Sunday to clear the school grounds, car park and paths.

"The parents are very proactive and supportive of the school, which is really fabulous," said Ms Davis, who was also awaiting the arrival of the AA. "I had to leave the car here last Tuesday because of the snow and the parents dug it out of the car park on Sunday, but then it wouldn't start. It has certainly been one of those mornings."