Motorists in Ryedale are being warned they face prosecution if they drive through flooded roads.

And drivers are also being told to beware of flooded roads without warning signs which may be dangerous - because highways bosses have run out of signs.

Motorists who ignore flood warning and road closure signs by going on will receive a large fine, Inspector Neil Burnett of Malton Police said today.

"We have had a number of incidents of motorists chancing it and driving though flooded roads and breaking down," he said.

"This obviously means the emergency services have to direct their resources to deal with this problem.

"When vehicles drive through these flooded areas they cause waves which can make if difficult for people trying to wade through it."

Inspector Burnett said that driving through floodwaters not only causes problems for others but can be dangerous for motorists.

"The warning signs are there for a reason; to keep people away from the dangerous areas," he said.

"There is a lot of rubbish and sewage floating around in these flooded areas and it is dangerous for people to come into contact with it."

And he said Highways Agency bosses have run out of signs warning the public of flooded roads.

"This means that just because a road is not signed this does not mean the road is safe to drive through," added Inspector Burnett.

"Our advice is that unless you are absolutely sure you can drive along a road which is flooded do not chance it because you may find yourself stranded."

Meanwhile Jill Baldwin, from Ryedale District Council, said there were flooding problems in the villages of Ebberston, Gilling and Settringham.

"A trailer ferry service taking residents over the flood waters from Church Street to Castlegate in Malton has started up and this will continue for the near future," she said.

"The council has made up a pallet of around 50 extra sandbags should the situation worsen and refuse collections have been cancelled."

To add insult to injury council workers were called out yesterday to deal with an oil spill in Norton.

Spokesman Phil Long said: "A tank containing oil at the Polar Garage in Church Street must have blown over in the high winds yesterday spilling oil into the water.

"We have now contained the oil and we're in the process of sucking it out with one of our tankers."