I have been flooded four times in the last 15 months and things just seem to be getting worse

Rupert Hillyard

And the Environment Agency is still issuing flood watch warnings in the Thames area, Anglian, the southwest and Wales.

It says flooding is still possible in the North East Powys area including Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool, and the Oswestry area of Shropshire.

There are also five flood warnings in place in Scotland, in areas by the Tay, Lyon, Tummel and Earm.

The Environment Agency said river levels in York peaked at 1915 GMT on Tuesday.

In Kaywood and Tadcaster expected levels on Tuesday night were well below those of the floods of 2000.

'Improve flood defences'

Flood warnings in North Yorkshire are mainly on the Ouse, with two on the Wharfe. All other rivers have now been given the all clear.

Rupert Hilliard, who lives in York, said it had been close as he and his neighbours used pumps and 1,500 sandbags to keep the water out.

However, scores of homes and businesses in Yorkshire were badly affected by the water.

Homes were affected in Shrewsbury

"I have been flooded four times in the last 15 months and things just seem to be getting worse," said Mr Hilliard.

"There used to be a flood every 10 or 20 years. Since the late 1990s it has got dramatically worse.

"The Environment Agency have to make a commitment to improve flood defences in York before it happens again."