The man in charge of York's flood defences has been to see for himself what the elements have thrown against them.

Environment Agency chairman Sir John Harman came to the city straight from a meeting with Government Ministers to be briefed by officials on the effects of the crisis.

He called first at the vital Foss flood barrier, before going on to the Rawcliffe area to see the effects of the flooding at first hand.

Sir John praised the defences and the "excellent" work by his own staff and the other agencies in coping with the crisis so far.

"The whole nation was watching York (on Friday) night, it was touch and go. But the defences did their job and protected a lot of people."

But he warned the problems were not over yet and work was going on to strengthen the defences further.

Standing in front of the Foss barrier he said: "It's hugely important that it does function. It's really been put to the test, it's been run continuously."

And added: "I am concerned about maintaining the integrity of these important flood defences, not just in the centre of York but downstream too.

"We have got be very alert and vigilant. While I am confident that they have done their job it would be wrong to be overconfident about that."

He welcomed the announcement of an extra £51 million from the Government for flood defences, but warned that people should not believe that putting money into defences, however large the amount, would completely prevent flooding problems.

Another big name to visit York was Liberal Democrats leader Charles Kennedy, who visited City of York Council's flood control room in St Leonard's Place before touring the Leeman Road area.

He had spoken to people who had helped stave off the worst effects of the waters, and said: "They have been doing an absolutely heroic and professional job."

Mr Kennedy called for more investment in flood defences, saying: "York is ahead of the rest of the country in flood prevention measures what's thus far a pretty bad situation could have been absolutely catastrophic."

He wanted taxation policies to be used to curb activities which increased global warming and the extra money raised to be reinvested in defences.