THE River Ouse has burst its banks in York, but water levels are expected to fall slowly this evening and through the night.

A flood warning, meaning flooding is expected, remains in place for the River Ouse at York riverside properties, and there is also a warning in force for the Ouse at St George`s Field and Queen`s Staith in York.

A third warning is in place for the Ouse at Naburn Lock, south of the city.

The Environment Agency (EA) said water levels have reached 3.2 metres but no further rise is anticipated and it expects levels to fall slowly this evening and through the night.

The Foss Barrier was operated early Wednesday morning and is likely to stay closed for at least a couple more days, the EA added. In addition, floodgates along the River Ouse in York are closed but the EA said it may be able to start opening them overnight or tomorrow.

Less serious flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, have been issued for the Upper River Ouse at Skelton and Rawcliffe, Lower River Derwent at Stamford Bridge and Kexby, Lower River Nidd at Tockwith and Moor Monkton, Tidal River Ouse at Selby, River Wiske at Thornton-le-Street and Thirsk, Lower River Swale at Leeming and Scruton and North Sea Coast at Bridlington.