THE newly-opened £20 million Ebor stand at York Racecourse was damaged following severe gales and sudden flooding over the weekend.

Flood warnings were still in force today for vulnerable areas on the edges of the River Ouse in York, and some villages further upstream.

Weather forecasters today predicted that more showers were on the way.

At its worst, three severe flood warnings and more than 60 flood warnings were in force across Yorkshire and the Humber and the north-east, with 70 properties reported flooded.

In York, river engineers used a water storage area at Clifton Ings to reduce the peak flood to 4.3m above normal yesterday afternoon.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said six flood warnings were still in place on the River Ouse today; at Fulford, Peckitt Street, Skeldergate, Rowntree Park, Naburn Lock, access roads into Naburn and riverside footpaths and moorings.

A warning was also in place on the access roads into Kirby Wiske, near Thirsk.

The flooding came as many residents and businesses counted the costs of dangerous gusts of wind of up to 90mph that battered the county on Saturday.

The award-winning Ebor Stand, opened in April 2003, was damaged, forcing police to close a nearby road and cancel weekend events.

York Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said the gales caused superficial damage to the top of the roof, with some of the sheets becoming dislodged.

"There is no structural damage to the building and it will not impact on the racing," he said.

Paul Weetman, landlord of the New Inn, Long Street, Easingwold, was today waiting for experts to assess the damage after hundreds of tiles were blown from his pub roof.

Bosses at Tollerton Caravan Park were still waiting for trees to be cleared from several footpaths, and at Thirkleby Hall, near Thirsk, three caravans were damaged by falling trees.

In York, homes on riverside streets including Queen's Staith, Kings Street, Tower Place, Friars Terrace and Lower Friargate were at risk, but no evacuations took place, said firefighters.

Skeldergate in York was closed due to flooding, and the council-run St George's Field and Esplanade car parks were shut.

The York Flood Group of Environment Agency (EA) experts, council representatives and emergency services met twice at the weekend, as the River Ouse rose well above normal levels.

Mark Tinnion, EA flood defence manager, said: "What's important is that we have the maximum amount of money available for flood protection and that we spend it in the most efficient way possible."

Updated: 09:49 Monday, January 10, 2005