A VOLUNTEER who devoted almost every waking moment to helping Tadcaster recover from the Boxing Day floods has been nominated for a York & District Medal.

From the moment the River Wharfe burst its banks, Angela Rooke threw herself into the rescue and clean-up operation on the eastern side of the river.

With her haulier husband Richard, she helped clear carpets and furniture from Calcaria Carpets in the moments before it was inundated, storing items for up to a month in a 45-ft lorry until the shop re-opened.

After witnessing Tadcaster bridge collapse because of flood damage, she smelt gas from a fractured main, and rushed to the nearby Britannia pub and Tadcaster Medical centre to warn staff to evacuate their buildings.

She was appointed flood coordinator for the eastern side of Tadcaster, leading efforts to clean up businesses and homes, and then helped organise a jumble sale at the community centre Rosemary House, where she then set up a charity shop which has raised hundreds of pounds for the Tadcaster flood relief fund.

Louise Hill, who is proposing her for the medal, said: "She has never stopped working towards getting the east side back on its feet.

"Along with her husband Richard and daughter Jess, she spent every waking moment organising the clean up effort, rallying a group of helpers to provide food, drink, inventory listing, fundraising and emotional support to home and business owners in the hours and days directly after the flood.

"Her work has not stopped since the flood and will not until the bridge is back, linking the town."

She said Angela only took one day off after the flood - New Year's Day - having realised on New Year's Eve that she didn't have any food in, as she hadn't eaten at home for days.

"Angela is totally selfless and never asks for any recognition for anything she has done. Along with her husband and daughter, she really is Tadcaster East side flood hero."

The Press has teamed up with City of York Council to honour the heroes of the post-Christmas floods through the medal, with support from York-based mutual healthcare provider, Benenden.

To nominate your flood heroes email newsdesk@thepress.co.uk with your name, address and contact details, plus the name and contact details (if available) of the person you are nominating, and explain the reasons for the nomination. Alternatively, send your completed nomination form from the newspaper to York & District Medal, Newsdesk, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.