Every flooded resident in the City of York Council area has been sent a letter telling them about the city's Flood Relief Fund.

The letter says the fund is intended to help people in serious financial hardship after flooding of their homes.

The Trustees - the Lord Mayor, the Dean of York and Colin Stroud, general secretary of the York Council for Voluntary Service - say the aim is to help people on low incomes obtain essential goods and services needed to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Applications for damage to cars or non-essential items will not normally be considered, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Anyone wishing to apply to the fund should contact the Flood Helpline on 01904 552999.

Another separate account to help flood victims, set up by the Archbishop of York, is intended to complement the York fund, and is available to help people throughout North and East Yorkshire, including York, on a discretionary basis.