A top-level meeting to get York back on its feet after the floods has attracted huge interest.

Key figures from the business community will meet at the Evening Press on Thursday to decide how best to deal with the aftermath of the crisis.

As well as the effect of the floods, the meeting will discuss the impact of speed restrictions on the rail network, imposed after the Hatfield crash.

Roland Harris, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The idea of this meeting is to think of ways to increase retail activity and hotel and guest-house occupancy."

Representatives of City of York Council, York Tourism Bureau, York & County Press, Marks & Spencer, and York's retail community will attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, members of the North Yorkshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses in York are to get a share in a £20,000 "help fund".

The sum has been sent to Mandy Melka, York-based secretary of the branch, so that she can assess the problems in her area and formulate a payout system.

The county breathed a sigh of relief today as river levels almost everywhere receded at an increasing rate.

Severe flood warnings were still in place this afternoon at Malton and Norton, Elvington, Selby and Barlby while the situation at Stamford Bridge was said to be improving.