SEVERE gales were expected to blast their way across North and East Yorkshire this afternoon.

Gale-force winds surging to more than 60mph were predicted.

Police officers sent out a stark warning for drivers of high-sided vehicles to stay off the roads.

But the Environment Agency sounded a more optimistic note for North Yorkshire communities fearing a return of flooding.

The Agency said it had now lifted all the flood warnings it had imposed on York and the surrounding area over the weekend.

It said river levels were expected to drop considerably as no more prolonged rain was predicted.

A spokesman for PA weather centre said: "The worst of the wind will be further north in Scotland.

"The York area can expect pretty close to gale force gusts above 60mph.High-sided vehicles are at risk.

"The strongest winds will be around lunchtime and early this afternoon, but by tonight they will have died down pretty quickly.

"We're not expecting a repetition of these winds for the rest of this week."

The spokesman said there would be no more substantial rainfall in the region over the next few days.

"Be prepared for sharp, heavy showers," he said, "but fortunately we don't expect there to be a prolonged downpour that would cause flooding."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said a Flood Watch had been lifted in the Vale of York, along with two Flood Warnings between Clifton Bridge and Fulford, and at Naburn Lock.

"Everything is just about back to normal," he said.

"We're not expecting a great deal of rain, so hopefully no more warnings will be needed."

The weather brought widespread disruption to ferry services and main traffic routes today in Scotland.

Police brought in speed restrictions at main road bridges and some were closed to high sided vehicles.

The Erskine Bridge in Renfrewshire, over the River Clyde, was due to be closed at 10am because of safety fears.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said its services in the west of Scotland were experiencing delays, diversions or cancellations.

All sailings between Stranraer and Belfast were cancelled by Stena Line.

Aberdeen Coastguard was keeping a close eye on a fishing vessel, with four people on board, broke down about 30 miles east of Fraserburgh.

It was today being towed to safety by another vessel, but coastguards were concerned for it as the weather worsened.

Updated: 11:32 Monday, January 28, 2002