HERE we go again...

It's still only September, and yet the River Ouse in York has seen its first flood warnings of the "flooding season".

Several motorists who parked their cars on Queen's Staith in the city centre got caught out yesterday afternoon as the waters rose fast over the cobbles.

One car which was driven away through the floodwaters just in time was a Ford Escort parked near Ouse Bridge.

Sakir Koc said his friend had parked the car there in the morning, with no idea the river was going to flood. "The water was down this morning," he said.

The Environment Agency issued flood warnings for riverside paths all down the Ouse in York, as well as at Naburn Lock.

But the peak of 8.8 feet (2.65 metres) above normal was far short of the record 17.9 feet above normal experienced during the historic floods of last November.

An agency spokesman said there had been very heavy rain in recent days, with 63 millimetres in the areas at the top end of the River Ouse in only 48 hours. More rain was expected today.

A spokeswoman added that warnings were still in place on the Ouse at York and Naburn.

She said: "The warnings are mainly for riverside paths and the Naburn road - we don't expect properties or businesses to be badly affected."

Meanwhile, forecasters warned of autumnal gales with gusts of more than 60mph as more wet and windy weather threatened to sweep across the country.

Mike Dutton, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said there would be a "marked change" from yesterday's sunny outlook, with some "very disturbed weather" moving in.

He added: "Some heavy rain is likely, with winds exceeding 60mph in places."

Bands of heavy rain are expected to last throughout the weekend. The strongest winds are likely to batter the west coast and northern areas from tonight through to Monday.

Meanwhile, a fair to help people protect their homes from floods was being held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, today.

The event, which is being held by North Yorkshire County Council in response to last year's devastating floods in North and East Yorkshire, was featuring exhibitions by more than 30 companies, including everything from dam systems and door guards to walkways and bridges.

Visitors to the event, which has been backed by Floods Minister Elliot Morley and Harrogate MP Phil Willis, can learn the best ways to protect their homes and restore them if floods should hit.

Updated: 11:34 Saturday, September 29, 2001