WOLLEN Eller Beck undermined the towpath separating it

from the canal and threatening around 700 homes in

Skipton.

As heavy rain continued to fall, workmen started building a

dam outside the Royal Shepherd Canal to try to deflect the

tidal wave from the town centre.

The trouble was caused by the collapse of most of the

towpath in Skipton Woods. Only a flimsy remnant of the

wall prevented the raging beck from crashing down into the

canal below.

Engineers said it was not a question of if but when the wall

gave way completely, sending a wave of around 10 feet of

water crashing into the canal below.

Our picture shows the scene earlier in the week when the

beck, on the left, rose above the canal and overflowed into

the canal, causing extensive flooding in the town.

Engineers hoped that by building a dam further down the

water would be diverted back into the beck rather than

descend upon homes alongside the canal in Keighley Road

and Broughton Road.

Around 100 residents heeded warnings and took up

temporary residence in Skipton Town Hall on Wednesday

night. Others made alternative arrangements or spent the

night hoping the danger would pass.

A respite from the rain saw the beck water level fall back

and the danger recede but the heavens opened again on

Thursday afternoon as workmen raced to build their

temporary dam.