ONLY one talking point this week - the floods which have devastated Craven. It's probably the first time that the village of Carleton-in-Craven has been the first image on the BBC's main evening news, ahead of the US presidential elections.

Carleton has been cut off for most of the week but it has been a similar story all over the district. Residents in Skipton, Gargrave, Kildwick, Cononley, Cross Hills, Glusburn have all had to face the misery of coping with the worst floods in living memory.

Comparisons are made with the great flood of 1982. But that was a flash flood which hit the centre of Skipton and caused immense damage over a short period of time. This week's rain has affected a far wider area and has been a prolonged, sustained deluge causing roads to close and train services to be cancelled.

On top of it all there was the excitement in town as turbulent Eller Beck threatened to knock down a wall and plunge into the canal below sending what was described as a tidal wave through the town.

Through it all we must pay a tribute to the emergency services who have done a magnificent job in the circumstances. It is at times like these that the general public comes to appreciate the fire brigade, which has worked itself to a standstill pumping out homes and dashing from one beleaguered area to another. Police, hospital workers, teachers, council employees have all put in that extra effort to try to keep the effects of the floods to a minimum.

The arguments about global warming, too much building, inadequate flood protection, blocked drains can all start later. For the moment let's say a hearty thanks to all the heroes and heroines of the week.