Redcar and East Cleveland has been devastated by torrential rains and flooding.

Worst hit again was Skinningrove but many villages throughout the district were also affected - including Brotton, Carlin How, Loftus and Skelton, as well as parts of Redcar and Saltburn.

At the beginning of the week roads and schools throughout the borough were closed. As the weather eased, the situation began to improve, but Skinningrove residents have been warned that vandalism is threatening the village's flood defences.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has delivered a letter to all the occupied homes in the community, revealing that sandbags have been slashed and youngsters have been using the massive barrier as a climbing frame.

Coun Dave McLuckie, lead member for community safety, said: "Vandalism is a blight on any community at any time, but these incidents are very difficult to comprehend.

"These incidents must stop and we are warning that if we find hard evidence, we will prosecute the individuals concerned."

An additional 100 one-ton bags have been ordered for the village, with plans to extend the existing sandbag barrier.

Coun McLuckie added: "The vandalism could have disastrous results, heightening the risk of more flooding. It's difficult to believe that any youngster would be foolhardy enough to mess around on top of the sandbags. It's not an adventure playground - it's been built to save lives."

The rest centre at Rosecroft School has now been officially closed and the clean-up operation has started in the village. The council plans to rehouse 13 families into houses on the Westfield estate in Loftus. An assessment on each of the council properties should be completed by today.

All the borough's schools were due to be open as normal yesterday.