FLOOD warnings were in place across North Yorkshire today, after heavy rain drenched the county.

The Environment Agency warned of floods at Cod Beck at Thirsk, the River Derwent, at Buttercrambe Mill, and on the North York Moors.

A Met Office spokesperson said rain across the county had been "particularly heavy" yesterday, with a severe weather warning in place last night.

Although no main rivers had flooded in York, council workers were at the travellers' site in James Street at about 5am today, after Tang Hall Beck broke its banks.

A council spokesperson said water levels were now receding.

York fire crews were also called to push two cars which had become stuck in deep water at Water Lane, Clifton, last night and this morning.

Meanwhile, a Humberside Fire spokesperson said about 30 properties in and around Pocklington had been affected after the town's beck had burst its banks.

Coun Alex Petrie, of Pocklington Town Council, said the sluice which is normally removed during periods of heavy weather had been replaced, causing the flooding to be much more severe than it otherwise would have been.

Coun Petrie, who lives on a farm at Canal Head, said some of his fields were submerged by about a foot of water.

Pocklington Town Council clerk Richard Wood said: "I have never seen the beck as high as this."

Updated: 10:51 Monday, April 19, 2004