FARMING organisations are calling for strategic support from the Government to help landowners and farmers recover from unprecedented flooding this week.

A special recovery fund has also been made available to households and businesses affected by the floods.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has called on Defra Minister George Eustice for action to support flash flood victims in North Yorkshire.

In particular, it asks that the Environment Agency issue immediate licences for affected farmers and landowners to realign water courses where they have been changed by the floods, to enable it to be returned to its previous use.

It also asks Defra to set up a fund to provide financial assistance for rebuilding dry stone walls, clearing debris, realigning water courses and replacing damaged infrastructure.

CLA director north Dorothy Fairburn said: “Farmers and landowners have been devastated by the destruction that has been caused by this flash flooding event and it is vital that Government acts quickly to do all it can to ease this distress and help rural businesses get back on track as soon as possible.”

Two Ridings Community Foundation will be making financial awards to households and small businesses affected by the floods.

Using funds from the North Yorkshire Recovery Fund, which was set up following the Boxing Day 2015 floods, Two Ridings is asking anyone whose main place of residence was flooded to get in touch.

A spokesman said: "We will use the local authority list of areas and streets flooded to ascertain which properties were affected and householders will need to show proof of residence.

"The fund will help households where water came into houses and small businesses where personal hardship has arisen as a result of premises being flooded. Our priority in the immediate aftermath of the floods will be to provide instant financial support to people affected by the floods to help with urgent needs like the costs of living in temporary accommodation, or items to people so they could stay in their homes."

He added: "We will make an immediate payment of £300 to anyone in North Yorkshire whose home was flooded in July 2019.

"We will also be working with the local authority and partner charities like British Red Cross so that when people are ready to move back into their homes we can provide further financial support."

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation said: “We know in the immediate aftermath of flooding that a payment of £300 can help people with the incidental extra costs of living in temporary accommodation so that’s what we are offering straightaway.”

Contact 01904-929500 or email grants@tworidingscf.org.uk.

A Go Fund Me appeal has also raised almost £7,000 in two days to help victims.

The site has been set up to help those flooded in Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, at www.gofundme.com/to-help-local-residents-arkengarthdaleswaledale.

The NFU in the North East is putting its emergency contingency plans into effect and is urging affected farmers to register with them.