Respite for flood victims as river levels are expected to fall over the weekend

RAF Chinook helicopter airlifts giant sandbags, as the military help repair a collapsed bank on the River Douglas in Croston, Lancashire Credit: PA

Flood-hit communities will enjoy a welcome respite from further threats over the weekend after experts predicted river levels would fall in the next few days, despite persistent rainfall.

As towns and cities in the North West of England continue the clear-up after the Christmas floods, the Environment Agency has reduced the number of its flood warnings.

But 14 flood warnings and more than 60 flood alerts remain in place across England and Wales, and EA teams remain in stricken areas to help pump away flood water, repair damaged defences and clear river blockages.

Padiham town centre in Lancashire on Boxing Day Credit: PA

River levels are expected to gradually fall over the weekend, and all severe flood warnings have been removed.

Across the north of England over the past week more than 7,300 homes have flooded as river levels reached all time highs.

A weather system coming from the Atlantic to the south west has brought more rain for the UK, pushing across the country on Friday.