York's grisliest attraction has been resurrected from the murky depths of the River Ouse.

York Dungeon, which was swamped by the swollen river in the recent record-breaking floods, boasted a horrifying new exhibit when it reopened its creaking doors today.

The house of horrors, in Clifford Street, now features a line marking the level the water rose to when the Ouse gushed into the dungeon's ground floor, causing more than £250,000 damage.

Damaged in the deluge was a mannequin chained to a fake riverbank in a scene depicting the medieval punishment of judicial drowning.

"Our own make believe river has never been above his chest in more than ten years," said manager Helen Douglas. "In October you couldn't even see the top of his head."

Other exhibits destroyed included one telling the tale of a ghostly Roman legion that haunts a York cellar, the new Pit of Despair, Guy Fawkes, a torture chamber, and a beheading scene and highwayman Dick Turpin.

The damaged displays have been quickly refurbished in time for today's opening.