Town centre closed after flash floods

Heavy rain on the Wolds triggered a flood warning just after 1pm on Pocklington Beck, which overflowed and led to about 1ft of water inundating the town around Market Street.

Localised flooding was also reported in nearby villages, including Kilnwick Percy.

The waters subsided by late afternoon and the Environment Agency and East Riding Council sent officers and engineers to the area to help with the clean-up and monitor the situation, with further rain expected last night.

John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at the council, said: “The council has closed off the roads at Chapman Gate, Market Street, Market Place and Union Street.

“The council will continue to monitor the situation and has staff, sandbags and other equipment on standby.”

The Environment Agency is urging residents to sign up to its new flood warning system, which sends automated texts, emails or calls to those registered.

The Pocklington Beck flood warning was removed just after 4pm, but alerts were still in place along the tidal Ouse in the Cawood, Kelfield, Wistow and Selby areas; on the upper Ouse in York; and along the River Foulness, the Market Weighton Canal and their tributaries.