I was determined to see how everyone has managed to cope

Prince Charles

In York, Prince Charles visited flood damaged homes and expressed sympathy for those who had been affected by the high water.

He also thanked members of the Army and the emergency services for their efforts.

"I can hardly believe how deep the water had got. I do feel very much for everyone trying to struggle," he said.

"It will take such a long time to dry anything out. I think this is the worst time of all."

Thousands of homes and businesses across the UK were hit by the flood waters two weeks ago. Hundreds of people were evacuated and river defences were strengthened with sandbags.

The clear up continues in Barlby

Many people now faced with clearing up their property as the waters subside say they were not given enough warning.

In York city centre Prince Charles inspected the immense sandbagging operation on the banks of the River Ouse and witnessed the havoc the flood waters had wreaked on local properties.

He visited the home of Margaret Walker in the Rawcliffe area of the city, which was inundated with two feet of water after the Ouse burst its banks a fortnight ago.

Mrs Walker, a retired headteacher, has been told it will be six months before she can live in her house again.

The prince praised all the organisations which worked to stop the flooding getting any worse in the area, saying: "I think it's been marvellous how everyone has pulled together.

Battling for normality

"I felt so sorry for Margaret. She'd just had an operation and was struggling to lift anything to get it out of the way.

"I was determined to see how everyone has managed to cope. Everyone is battling to get back to normal again. These disasters bring the best out of people."

The Prince stopped for a whisky in Naburn

Mrs Walker said it was "mind-boggling" to meet the Prince, and her only regret was that she did not have time to make him a cup of tea.

Family antiques were damaged in the flooding, and her house had suffered some structural damage, she went on.

"I can't begin to tell you what this has done to me," said Mrs Walker, who is now staying with friends who live near her house.

"I no longer have a home. When I come back I will be scared of it happening again and would like some reassurance that it won't."

'Wettest autumn since 1727'

The Royal party then moved on to the nearby village of Naburn, which was cut off for two weeks during the worst of the floods.

On Friday afternoon the prince visited the village of Barlby, near Selby, which suffered some of the worst flood damage in the region.

He also met elderly residents in Selby who were evacuated during the floods.

Forecasters are predicting England and Wales will chalk up the wettest autumn since records began 273 years ago.