The opening ceremony for York's Millennium Bridge is set to go ahead as planned tomorrow.

High river levels over the weekend were today predicted to drop.

Flood warnings remained in place for footpaths in the centre of York and for Naburn Lock.

The River Ouse in the city peaked at nine foot six inches above normal yesterday afternoon, which was still eight foot below its peak during the floods at the end of last year.

Paul Chesmore, chief executive of the York Millennium Bridge Trust, said there was some water on New Walk today but falling levels would mean that the opening would be able to go ahead as planned tomorrow.

Meanwhile, residents in flood-prone areas of York should be consulted on evacuation plans being drawn up in response to the experiences of last November's floods, said councillors.

Members of City of York Council's executive made the decision at a meeting in the Guildhall. The report also says the city's flood plan needs to be updated to improve knowledge of which homes are at risk.

Updated: 12:08 Monday, April 09, 2001