EMERGENCY measures are being taken to protect residents in flood hit rural areas after another deluge of rain hit the region.

There has been further flooding in the Grinton area of North Yorkshire overnight and officers from the county council were on site since this morning working with emergency services.

The fire service has been removing flood water with pumps and additional sandbags have been deployed in response to this and in anticipation of further rainfall forecast over the weekend.

Despite atrocious weather conditions, work has continued to put in place temporary measures to reopen the B6270 Grinton to Richmond road and the C102 Grinton to Leyburn road by August 16 and August 30 respectively.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, who was in the area today, said: “The progress being made is remarkable. I have nothing but respect for our highways and bridges teams.”

Last week the bridge over Cogden Gill, in Grinton Moor, was washed away during the worst flash floods to hit the Yorkshire Dales in living memory.