Tadcaster was hit by flooding today as the swollen River Wharfe threatened to burst its banks.

Businesses alongside the river were inundated as water was forced up through the drains.

Environment Agency chiefs warned that river levels at Cawood, Selby, would peak in the early hours of tomorrow and that a flood alert would remain in force for the river Wharfe at Tadcaster.

In Tadcaster today, a carpet shop in Commercial Street used 100 sandbags in a battle to stop the floodwater getting in.

Angela Stripe, proprietor of the hairdressing salon Clayton Stripe International, said: "We are flooded. The sunbeds are floating.

"We are getting out our mops and buckets and customers are having to "walk the plank" to get out of the salon.

"The river is about six inches from the top of the flood bank and if it rains again I think it could come over the top."

Chairman and groundsman of Tadcaster Albion Mike Burnett said the pitch was under 5ft of water.

Meanwhile, severe flood warnings were this evening in force on the Ouse at Naburn and Acaster Malbis, and on Pickering Beck.

Flood warnings were in force on the Ouse at Fulford, Cawood and in the centre of York and on the Derwent at Malton, Norton, Stamford Bridge and Elvington.

The Ouse was expected to peak at midnight in York.

The Derwent was expected to peak sometime tomorrow and was described as "rising slowly".

The Foss had a severe flood warning.