VAST tracts of land remain under water as forecasters warned further heavy rain was set to hit parts of the region.

Severe weather warnings have been issued for areas of the North-East for tomorrow (Wednesday, November 18) and Thursday, while the Environment Agency issued five flood warnings for North Yorkshire, as rain that fell over the weekend in the Yorkshire Dales surged along the rivers Ure, Swale, Nidd and Wharf.

Low-lying areas near the course of the rivers Swale and Ouse in North Yorkshire appeared to among the most inundated, with the agency issuing flood warnings to nearly 1,500 properties in the area.

The River Ouse at York peaked late on Monday night at four metres, and levels yesterday (Tuesday, November 17) began to fall slowly.

An agency spokeswoman said it would closely monitor the river levels with more rain forecast this week.

She said: "Since the weekend the Environment Agency has been focussing its efforts on issuing warning messages, checking flood defences are working correctly, and clearing blockages to help alleviate flood risk.

"Our teams are still out on the ground, assessing channels and looking for potential blockages and damage to defences."

She said as a result of flood defences and its work before and since the weekend, up to 2,668 properties in the North-East were protected from flooding should the rivers have overtopped.

It said 752 properties protected from the River Tees at Yarm, where 32 flood gates were closed, 88 in Neasham from the River Tees and Kent Beck, 78 properties in Hurworth from a flood bank along the River Tees and 932 properties at Stokesley from the River Leven by closing the penstocks.

A Met Office spokesman said the second half of the week would see further spells of wet and windy weather, but forecasters were expecting to see a change in the weather for the weekend as colder air moves across the UK from the north.

He said: "This will make it feel much colder compared to recently, with temperatures close to or a little below average and bring some wintry showers or snow to higher ground in the north.

"There could be frost and ice for many overnight. However, none of this is exceptional for autumn."

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