Police could soon be able to seize homes and declare a state of emergency in any repeat of the floods which devastated parts of the Aire and Wharfe valleys in 2000.

Millions of pounds of damage was caused to homes and businesses while residents were forced to flee when the River Aire and River Wharfe burst their banks after days of heavy rain.

It caused the worst floods for 50 years and left a trail of destruction in Skipton, Keighley, Bingley, Baildon, Shipley and Esholt.

Now ministers have unveiled the controversial proposals as part of new laws to tackle emergencies such as terrorist attacks, floods, train crashes or diseases such as foot and mouth.

Local authorities will be compelled to draw up fresh plans to deal with catastrophes - including mass evacuation in case of contamination or poisoning.

The Government's Civil Contingencies Bill, published yesterday, was hailed as a shake-up of 80-year-old emergency legislation to prepare communities for the post-September 11 threat.

The Bill is designed to tackle the fear that local authorities have a "Dad's Army" attitude towards civil defence.

Ministers insist new powers are needed to cope with modern threats.

Under the Bill, local councils will be ordered to ensure all residents are told of evacuation plans. Householders not in the immediate vicinity of an attack will be told to "go in, stay in and tune in" for further advice.

Conservative MP David Curry, whose Skipton constituency was ravaged by the floods in 2000, said it was vital people were aware of the circumstances in which their house would be seized.

He said: "The authorities can't simply arrive at someone's home and say 'we're taking this place over, it's an emergency'. If people don't understand the reason they will resent it and might not co-operate."