Communities constantly facing floods will also face an inevitable rise in cases of disease, an expert has warned.

Professor Graham Bentham says a predicted increase in flooding as a result of the greenhouse effect will lead to more waterborne illnesses.

These could include communicable diseases, such as hepatitis and milder forms of e-coli caused by sewage infected water.

Cases of gastro-entiritis are expected to increase, while repeat flood victims could also suffer from mental health problems.

The region's health authorities say they already have adequate contingency measures in place to cope with the effects of floods, but admit they may review recent lessons learned.

Prof Bentham, of the University of East Anglia, made his comments at a meeting of the British Medical Association in London.

During the floods, a team from the Tees Health Authority communicable diseases department visited Skinningrove, in East Cleveland, to give advice about hygiene and drinking water.

North Yorkshire Health Authority has also distributed leaflets to flood-hit householders telling them of sensible precautions to take to stay healthy, such as washing their hands and cleaning work surfaces.

Dr Ian Holtby, consultant in communicable disease control, at the Tees authority, said: "There is a risk of infection with flood water and, because of this, we have been issuing advice to the local authorities concerned.

"Medical services are, of course, likely to see an increase in the demand for their services as a result of floods."

Dr John Apps, of Darlington's Neasham Road surgery, said he believed there was an adequate system in place to prevent the biggest danger - of drinking water from being contaminated with sewage.

But he said: "People who have lost everything because of the floods can suffer from an acute stress reaction."

Read more about the floods, get essential advice and see the pictures from the region here.