ALMOST £1million in aid relief has been granted to York's flood hit residents and businesses since the devastation struck the city one month ago.

City of York Council figures show the huge sums paid out to those hit by the worst flooding in a generation.


Hundreds of flood victims in York have received a combined £137,000 from City of York Council as part of a one-off £500 recovery grant to 274 residents.


The authority also allowed council tax exemptions to 351 properties, totalling £118,200.


46 people who were not covered by insurance applied for the council's Disaster Fund and received £18,900.


The council said 416 homes and 157 businesses have been confirmed as flooded.  

Some of the worst affected residents in York's Huntington Road, Somerset Road, River Street, Burlington Avenue and Wharfe Bank Terrace, in Tadcaster, are months away from moving into their homes.


Builders are working door to door in some streets to repair the homes and skips stand back to back instead of cars.


Businesses counting the cost of their flood hit premises were also entitled to money and were granted rate exemptions by the authority.


A total of 115 firms saved £600,000 after their properties were hit by flooding, and £78,500 resilience grants were paid to 38 eligible businesses.


In Tadcaster - which is finally getting a temporary footbridge after the town was split in two when the bridge over the River Wharfe collapsed -  27 residential properties have received a £500 pay-out from Selby District Council.


The latest figures revealed 13,000 sandbags were sent to flood defences, schools, hospitals and care homes, 900 homes and 262 businesses have been visited by City of York Council officers.


Cllr Chris Steward, leader of City of York Council, said: "Hundreds of staff worked beyond their usual remit, completing substantially extended shifts including overnight duties. 


"Others worked alongside community efforts to support flood-affected residents and businesses, and many volunteered as individuals in their own right to support the extraordinary contribution of volunteers from the city and beyond."


Residents can still apply for a £500 one-off payment to City of York Council to help support the clean-up.


They can also apply for a Council Tax exemption from December 27, 2015 to March 31, 2016, but extensions may apply where residents cannot return to their property beyond that time.


The York Disaster Fund is handed out by the Two Ridings Community Foundation (TRCF) charity and is open to those without appropriate insurance.

For more information go to www.york.gov.uk/flood