The threat of flooding in the district was fading today as torrential rain and heavy storms began to fade.

At its peak yesterday flooding was expected at four points along the River Aire, but three of the warnings from the Environment Agency have now been withdrawn.

The storms were caused by the remnants of Hurricane Alex, which hit the US last week, picking up moisture as it crossed the Atlantic, forecasters said.

One flood warning remains in place at Cononley, where there are washlands designed to take excess river water.

But the Environment Agency has issued all-clears for Apperley Bridge, Crossflatts and Esholt.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said that there had been little rain last night and there was not much forecast for today.

He added: "But the rivers are still quite high because of the amount of rainfall we have had over the last few days so we are continuing to monitor the situation."

Elsewhere, firefighters battled flash floods caused by the torrential rain.

Workers at Perseverance Mills, Low Wells, Shipley, had to be evacuated when Bradford Beck burst its banks yesterday morning. A surge of water demolished a section of wall, and flooded into the building.

In Brighouse, firefighters spent five hours at Avocet Hardware, Elland Road, pumping away water which threatened to come into contact with electricity. Crews were also called to Thornhill Beck Lane at about 9.30am to help remove a car which had been trying to cross a ford flooded by four feet of water. The male driver escaped unharmed.

Roads in Ilkley were closed when Backstone Beck overflowed. Residents watched as water neared their doorsteps, and in nearby St Mary's Close, water ran down the street in a fast-flowing river, carrying branches and other debris into the cul-de-sac. Residents waited for Bradford Council to bring sandbags - but luckily most of the water ran into a nearby field.

Bingley firefighters were called to the riverside homes in Castlefield Road at 11.30am yesterday to pump water from two basements and a courtyard which under four feet of water.

A torrent of water swept through Mill Hey, Haworth, yesterday morning, when the River Worth burst its banks.

It poured into a pub, supermarket, post office, fish and chip shop, hairdressers, curiosity shop and a flat beneath the Conservative Club.

At one point the water was about chest height, engulfing a Range Rover and moving two other cars.

Mill Hey and Station Road were impassable for several hours and firefighters had to rescue one man from his Range Rover.

In the city centre, the Homes 2 Homes store, in Broadway, closed when rain cascaded into the building, damaging stock.

Bradford Council's highways, cleansing and drainage departments worked all day yesterday in affected areas.

Executive member for the environment Coun Anne Hawkesworth said: "We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and respond quickly to any problems."

People whose homes are affected by flooding can get health advice from Bradford Health Protection Team on (01274) 366032.