FLASH floods which devastated parts of North Yorkshire this summer are likely to become more common, Britain's environment chief has warned.

Environment Agency chairman Sir John Harman was in Hawnby, near Helmsley, yesterday to view the results of a massive clear-up operation after the freak weather storms of June 19 when a month's rain fell and deluged the village in one hour.

But he said climate change meant that sudden storms of this kind were likely to become more and more frequent. "The worrying thing is that weather patterns are changing," he said.

"I'd be surprised if the summer goes past without us getting another one. It could be very dangerous to property and life."

Sir John said there was no reason why North Yorkshire should be particularly vulnerable to the kind of weather storms that hit over the summer - despite a history of flooding in the county.

He said more frequent storms could strike anywhere, and warned they were very hard to predict - after weather forecasts hours before the devastating rain in June gave no indication of what was to come.

"It's not possible to warn against," he said.

"What we can do is to make sure the emergency services are geared up, and make sure everyone realises there is an element of flood risk wherever you are."

A team of environment agency workers have spent weeks working 12-hour shifts every day to clear up the wreckage left behind by the floods. More than 60 carcasses of cattle and sheep - many of them stuck half way up trees after being carried along by the torrent of water - had to be removed by workers along the River Rye and its tributaries.

The agency drafted in 30 extra workers to help the emergency, while a team of 11 worked in the Hawnby area clearing the river of huge piles of fallen debris and trees. In total, 48 kilometres of river were cleared of 500 tonnes of blockages.

Meanwhile, councils in flood-hit North Yorkshire could be set to miss out on support from a Government emergency fund.

The Government's Bellwin Scheme provides support for councils affected by disasters, but only covers work done within two months.

While the clean up following the June floods has begun, many expensive tasks such as rebuilding bridges are still outstanding.

North Yorkshire County Council expects to spend £3.3 million, but so far has spent only £1 million - below their £1.1m threshold - meaning they may miss out on any funding.

A letter from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the council's chief accountant said a short extension at the most may be granted.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, September 02, 2005