City of York Council has initiated a number of one-stop flood help shops ful-filling its pledge to York residents and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to help those affected by the floods.

During a flying visit to York's flood control centre on Sunday Mr Prescott told all the emergency agencies that he was highly impressed with the flood operation in the city.

He then asked City of York Council's acting chief executive David Atkinson to provide him with a template for post-flood recovery efforts.

Today the council unveiled extensive measures to offer flood-hit citizens help with everything from house cleaning to independent insurance assessment.

Roy Templeman, the council's director of environment and development services, revealed four one-stop flood help centres in the worst-hit areas of the city in the community centre in Clementhorpe, the Delwood Sheltered Unit, off Main Street, Fulford and temporary cabins provided free by Portakabin at Bishopthorpe Parish Hall and Rawcliffe Pavilion.

They are open between 8am and 8pm and offer house cleaning, garden and yard clearance, cleaning of streets and paths, supply of cleaning materials including disinfectant, free checks of gas and electricity appliances with the help of Northern Electric & Gas and Transco, pump-outs and inspections of sub-floor spaces and other flood-related defects.

Other help includes blocked drain clearance, removal of flood-damaged goods such as fridges and freezers, free security advice from North Yorkshire police and advice on temporary accommodation.

The services can also be requested by ringing the council's floodline number on 01904 552999 between 7am and 8pm daily with an answerphone during other times.

Independent insurance advice from a team from Norwich Union is also avail-able by ringing Floodline.

Removal firm Whitby Oliver is offering free storage crates and free advice on property repairs and redecoration is available from a team of experts from DIY group B&Q.

Flood hit residents should consult their own insurance companies before doing anything else.

The council also announced that anyone requiring food as a result of being se-verely affected by the flooding could go to Canon Lee School at Water Lane, Arch-bishop of York School, Bishopthorpe and Fulford School for a meal and a hot drink between 2pm and 6pm tonight, tomor-row, Friday and Monday.

Some 300 residents will receive leaflets explaining the Flood Help Centre service. Where homes have been flooded inter-nally residents will also be offered financial help from the York Flood Relief Fund unveiled by council leader councillor Rod Hills and the Archbishop of York Dr David Hope at the weekend.