The heavy rain also resulted in the wettest autumn since records began.

Areas affected included the historic walled city of York, where the river reached a peak of 17ft 8ins (5.3m) above normal at 0330 GMT on Saturday 4th November 2000, within two inches of breaching flood defences.

The villages of Aldwark, Brafferton, Newton on Ouse and Myton on Swale were all cut off as the River Ouse, Nidd and Swale burst their banks.

The Northumberland village of Ponteland was also flooded with the main A696 Newcastle - Edinburgh road closed.

The town of Yarm on Tees was also placed on standby as the River Tees threaten to burst its banks but in the end the flood defences held.

In nearby Stockton on Tees the Tees Barage was lowered for the first time.