SUMMER storms had the emergency services on full alert yesterday after torrential rain brought flooding misery to the region for the second time in a week.

Hundreds of homeowners and businesses counted the cost of a record-breaking downpour.

Councils are maintaining a round-the-clock watch on affected areas and contingency plans - including the possible evacuation of elderly people's homes - have been drawn up.

In Darlington, residents in Branksome woke to find their gardens under water.

Stan Moon, of Fountains View, was shocked to discover a small crater full of water had formed in his front garden and had swallowed up a small tree.

Drivers in Newton Aycliffe were forced to let each other through one at a time to avoid a large pool, which had formed on St Cuthbert's Way, opposite St Clare's Church at the town centre.

North Yorkshire bore the brunt of the onslaught, with serious local flooding and dozens of homes evacuated.

Experts said more rain fell in one day than would normally have been expected for the whole of August.

The Environment Agency issued 44 flood warnings throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire, and one severe warning - at Pickering, where the town beck peaked at 1.2m above normal levels.

Residents in the nearby village of Sinnington woke to find up to 3ft of water surrounding their homes. They were forced to bale water from their front doors and pile sandbags high to try to prevent more damage.

Public transport was severely disrupted with the local bus to Scarborough being pulled to safety by a tractor after getting stuck in Pickering town centre. Traffic was brought to a standstill and firefighters worked tirelessly to help residents.

About 60 people were temporarily housed at Lady Lumley's School, Pickering, after a campsite flooded. They were in North Yorkshire for the traditional Pickering Traction Engine Rally this weekend, which, however, is still going ahead. Thousands of visitors are expected at the showfield just off Malton Road.

About 100 holidaymakers had to be rescued by an in-shore lifeboat at a caravan park at Burniston, near Scarborough, which was swamped. They found temporary accommodation in a reception centre.

Another rest centre was set up for people evacuated from their homes at Thirsk, where Cod Beck was threatening to burst its banks. Similar problems developed at Water End, Brompton, near Northallerton.

It was a nightmare for motorists as well, with the A19 closed for several hours north of Thirsk.

Moors roads were treacherous, with the A171 Whitby to Guisborough road, a main route into Teesside, barely passable.

Train passengers were also affected by the bad weather with problems reported on a number of routes, including the East Coast Main Line.

The track between Eryholme and Croft, near Darlington, was closed for 20 minutes from midday following a report of flooding. Later, at about 4.30pm, a problem with flooding was again reported at Croft.

Railtrack said water in the area had affected track circuits, forcing trains to run slower through the area, creating delays.

Services between Middlesbrough and Whitby were hit by flooding at Danby and then a landslip at Great Ayton. The line is closed until further notice, said Railtrack.

The Leeds-Harrogate-York service was also closed for five hours.