The Prince of Wales is to visit North Yorkshire on Friday to meet flood victims and to see for himself the effects of the recent deluge.

The visit follows a message to the region by the Queen, who sent her sympathies to those affected and gratitude to those who worked to help others during the crisis.

A spokeswoman said today that Prince Charles would definitely be visiting York, Selby and Barlby on Friday, but said other details of his trip had not yet been confirmed.

She could not comment on whether he would be visiting Malton and Norton.

"He wants to see the extent of the damage and to share his concerns with all the families and people who have suffered," she said.

She said he would also meet emergency services workers and others who worked to protect lives and property during the floods.

River levels across the region were continuing to drop today, with the only severe flood warnings still in place along three stretches of the Derwent, including that from Elvington to Barmby. Selby toll bridge is now open.

Councillors in York were united in their gratitude for the work done during the floods crisis at their full meeting at the Guildhall last night.

They backed unanimously a motion put forward by leader Coun Rod Hills to give £10,000 to the York Flood Relief Fund and applauded the idea of granting Freedom of the City to the York-based 2 Signals Regiment.

Tributes were paid to the role of Silver Command, the multi-agency emergency decision-making team, but there was also an acknowledgement that mistakes had been made and the plight of Rawcliffe residents was highlighted.

The leader of Rawcliffe Parish Council, Coun Richard Moore, called for central Government cash to be found to fund improvements in defences for the area.

Coun Hills was backed by all in his support for Liberal Democrat leader Coun Steve Galloway, who called for a review of the city's flood defences, and of the processes and equipment available to support the council when it dealt with civic emergencies.

But he condemned comments made by Tory Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh that Rawcliffe was sacrificed at the expense of York as turning a "city-wide crisis into party politics".

Even here, there was cross-party agreement. Coun John Galvin, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: "I don't condone any comments made that the City of York Council sacrificed other areas of York. I do regret that these comments were made. I do support Coun Hills' comments about the officers of the authority."

Councillors also praised the work of the Evening Press, who bring you thisisyork, to keep people informed during the flood, while concerns were raised about national and international media coverage on businesses in the area.

Coun Hills said the "current best estimate" of the cost to the council of the flood in York was £500,000, which could rise when the fire service bill came in, and that the clean-up bill may cost another £300,000 to £400,000. He said the council had £255,000 set aside for such an emergency.

The Government had said that if the council could put up £292,000, which was 0.2 per cent of its budget, then it would pay for the rest of the costs. It said payment would be made within 15 days of a claim.

As for cash for better flood defences, Coun Hills said: "As in the 1980s, we may need to apply pressure to ensure that residents will, as far as it is possible, be protected in the future."

* Rawcliffe residents are invited to a special public meeting tomorrow night to ask questions about the floods. Representatives from the council, the police and the Environment Agency will be at Canon Lee School for the meeting, which starts at 7pm.