A last-ditch battle to save hundreds of properties across York from flooding was coming to a climax this afternoon.

The Environment Agency predicted that the River Ouse would peak at late afternoon at about six inches from the top of flood defences - four inches less than the record levels set at the weekend.

Residents in the Leeman Road area were left hoping that flood banks, supplemented by thousands of sandbags, would save them for the second time in five days from disaster - as Yorkshire Water and firefighters continued to pump excess water back into the river.

Peter Carlill, of Swinerton Avenue, said: "It looks like it may happen again. I was out on Friday night helping place the sandbags, and once again we find ourselves in the same situation."

Elsewhere in the city at Clementhorpe, more than 20 soldiers went in at noon to try to save 80 properties from being flooded for the second time in five days.

They built sandbag walls, hoping to save properties in River Street, Lower Darnborough Street and Clementhorpe itself.

City of York Council has distributed 1,400 leaflets warning people they might be evacuated.

At-risk areas include Rawcliffe, Clifton Green, Naburn, Acaster Malbis, Bootham Terrace, Clementhorpe, Bishopthorpe, Leeman Road and the Foss area, including Osbaldwick, Tang Hall Beck, Huntington Road and Melrosegate.

In Huntington Road, Walmgate and other areas near the River Foss, residents were warned to prepare in case the river comes up.

Meanwhile, a grandmother fought back tears today as she told of the human cost of York's floods to brain-damaged teenager Toni Wilson.

Myra Cook revealed how Toni's secure routine was shattered when her home at Bishopthorpe was inundated.

She said Toni - who received massive damages earlier this year at Birmingham High Court - was carried out by a fireman just a day before she had been due to celebrate her 15th birthday.

"The look of confusion on her face was horrible to see," said Myra, who has taken on the massive task of caring for Toni since she was brain-damaged in an accident as a baby.

Now Myra, like scores of other householders across the city, fears the property in Main Street will be flooded once again this afternoon.

And she thinks she may have to move away to prevent further disruption to the youngster. "Toni cannot go through this again."

Meanwhile, Vale of York Tory MP Anne McIntosh has claimed in the Commons that Rawcliffe was sacrificed as all attention was focused on protecting the downtown City of York.

She claimed no sandbags were provided by the council until 4pm on Saturday even though they were requested at 11pm on Friday.

Agriculture Minister Elliot Morley defended the local authority's action, saying: "Sandbags were needed in the city to stop the water getting under the flood defences and destroying them. Therefore, their distribution was an issue of priority."

Click here for more