CITY of York Council today highlighted its commitment to helping secure better defences for Elvington.

Bill Woolley, the council's acting director of environment and development services, said the authority funded a feasibility study into a solution for the village, near York.

However, plans to install a pumping station stalled because they did not meet government funding criteria.

"We have been actively working on this problem with the parish council, trying to alleviate the exact problem the village had on Thursday," Mr Woolley said, stressing the council was not responsible for maintaining water courses.

"We put the scheme together earlier this year. Unfortunately, it does not qualify for DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) funding.

"We have a solution, but we need government funding to make it a reality."

He said: "We are 100 per cent on side with Elvington Parish Council."

The Evening Press reported yesterday that the centre of Elvington was hit by flood water after a beck overflowed.

Flood warnings were still in place across North Yorkshire today in the wake of torrential rain and storms.

A flood watch in the Vale of York and two flood warnings in York - at Naburn and on riverside footpaths in the city centre - remain.

The Environment Agency also warned that flooding was still possible from rivers and streams in the North York Moors area.

Updated: 11:05 Saturday, August 14, 2004