SOLDIERS based in North Yorkshire have worked through the night to clear roads and inspect bridges following the floods in Cumbria.

Royal Engineers from 21 Engineer Regiment, based in Ripon, and 32 Engineer Regiment, in Catterick Village, have been helping with the clear up operation after the county was hit by heavy rain and floods from Storm Desmond.

The units have been working through the night using earth-moving equipment to clear landslides on the A591 from Thirlmere to Ambleside.

Engineers, aided by experts from 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group, have been tasked with checking about 190 bridges which were potentially damaged by the flooding.

An Army diver has also been deployed to the area to help the engineers check for damage under the waterline.

Major Simon Graham, who is commanding the field squadron, said the weather meant the work had been challenging at times.

"We've had men working while up to their knees in water and silt.

"We've working 24 hours a day in difficult conditions."

North-East members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) have also been helping Cumbria get back on its feet after the floods.

About 60 members from the region travelled to the county to help the residents.

The group distributed food parcels, went door to door checking people were okay and helped residents clear up their homes and gardens.

Wadood Daud, from AMYA Hartlepool, said the group set off at 5am on Sunday and did not get back until 9pm at night.

Members would also be visiting the area every day this week and at the weekend to do what they could to help.

"The main reason we did this is because the teachings of the Prophet say that every act of goodness is charity and if someone is suffering we will go out and reduce that suffering," Mr Daud said.