River levels teetered near bursting point last night and there were reports of motorists getting stuck in floodwater after heavy rain hit the district.

The Environment Agency has put 27 flood warnings in place across the UK, including one at the River Aire’s upper catchment area and its tributaries from Gargrave to Stockbridge, near Keighley.

Prolonged periods of heavy rain caused rivers and becks in the area to rise, leaving water at higher than normal levels yesterday.

Skipton Washlands, Snaygill Ings, and Cononley Washlands were all blighted by areas of standing water and the Environment Agency warned the situation was at risk of getting even more treacherous.

Low-lying land and roads were also at risk of flooding but drier conditions forecast for today meant most river and streams in the area were expected to fall during the late afternoon and evening.