FLOOD warnings have been issued for three rivers across the region after heavy rain over the past few days.

The Environment Agency delivered the warnings - one step up from the low-level flood watch - for the Ouse, Derwent and Rye.

A spokesman said the Ouse peaked by 7am today, with residents warned about flooding on riverside footpaths in York, and also downstream at Naburn Lock, Naburn.

The River Rye at Butterwick Bridge and the Derwent at Welham Road, Norton, peaked in the early hours.

"Hopefully the warning should be coming off later today," he said.

At Stamford Bridge and Buttercrambe Mill, the Derwent was not expected to peak until midday today.

The Environment Agency spokesman said: "We are not expecting any of this to result in major property flooding, although there may be flooding in the car park at Stamford Bridge.

"Environment Agency staff have gone out over the weekend with sandbags as a precaution."

He said that the warnings should be taken off within the next day or so, although because of more rain forecast later in the week they could soon be back in place.

"We possibly may issue watches again for later on in the week, but it's difficult to say.

"It depends on how the rivers react to the rainfall."

Updated: 12:16 Monday, November 04, 2002