Residents in two villages near Selby were told to evacuate their houses today - and families in two more villages were preparing to leave their homes as heavy rain brought new fears of river banks bursting.

Police and soldiers visited homes in Beal and Birkin in the early hours of today, advising people to evacuate their premises as a matter of urgency.

A police spokesman said the banks of the River Aire were saturated, and everything was dependent on today's rainfall.

He said the vast majority of residents at Beal and Birkin had opted to stay in their homes for the time being.

Susan Young, landlady of Beal's Hungry Fox pub, said: "I was told the river could burst its banks with a hell of a blast, but we decided to stay because we live upstairs and can keep an eye on the river."

Police pushed leaflets through letterboxes of homes in Cawood and Wistow in the early hours of today, telling people to be prepared to evacuate their homes this afternoon.

A police spokesman said there was a risk of the River Ouse overtopping its banks at Cawood when the swollen river peaked this evening.

Cawood Parish Council chairman Dave Jones said the Ouse had risen by almost four inches overnight.

He said water was now six inches from the top of the village's flood defences, and residents were now holding their breath, hoping the defences would hold.

Barlby also remained on red alert today with the Ouse expected to peak at about teatime today.

Police said some residents at Barlby had returned home after being evacuated on Friday night, and urged them to again leave their homes.

A police spokesman said more than 200 Royal Artillery troops had put down 37,000 sandbags along the River Ouse at Barlby and Selby.

He said the situation in north Selby, including the Millgate and Flaxley Road areas which were downgraded to floodwatch zones on Sunday, would be reassessed today in the light of the current downpour.

It is also understood that engineers plan to inspect Selby toll bridge for any damage as it continues to take a constant pounding from the swollen Ouse.

The floodwaters are also having a devastating impact on local businesses. Hazlewood Foods at Barlby has been closed after the entire site was flooded and 500 employees sent home.

Operations director Patrick Wood said all staff would be paid and they were looking at deploying workers to their factories in the Hull area. The emergency number for employees is 01482 828280.

The BOCM animal feeds factory at Barlby has also closed and about 150 workers have been told to stay at home.

The Selby pit complex remained at a standstill today with 2,300 miners redeployed to maintenance work and 100 miners helping troops with sandbagging.

Arriva Yorkshire said their 415 Selby to York and 42 Cawood to York bus services had been suspended because of flooding - costing the company thousands of pounds in lost revenue.

Selby bus depot manager John Connelly said: "Our drivers have been on stand-by since Friday night to help with the evacuation."

Part of South Milford was flooded yesterday after swollen dykes overflowed into High Street, leaving the village playing field, post office and several houses under water.

Sherburn High joined the casualty list of school closures today along with Selby High, Brayton High, and Barlby High.

Barlby Bridge, Barlby Hill Top, Wistow, Barwic Parade, Longman's Hill, Kellington, Riccall and Selby Abbey primary schools were also shut.