Risk of floods as rivers swell

The Prince of Wales was praised today for his "morale boosting" visit to victims of last month's devastating floods in St Asaph.

The tiny city, in Denbighshire, North Wales, was inundated last Tuesday when the River Elwy burst over flood defences following days of persistent rain which brought pockets of the country, south west England and the Midlands to its knees.

Hundreds of properties were affected and many families have been forced out of their homes with little over three weeks until Christmas Day.Charles offered his support to victims and thanked members of the emergency services for their help and hard work.

Labour has accused the Government of cutting spending on flood defences "delaying much needed schemes", following the "widespread chaos" caused by heavy rain.

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Angela Eagle claimed those affected risked being unable to obtain insurance as the Government had yet to reach an agreement with the industry, warning "ministers aren't doing enough".

But Commons Leader Andrew Lansley hit back saying the Government hoped to leverage additional support for flood defences, adding: "These are dreadful events for people to have to live through and it is terrifically important that we protect them wherever we can."

The Government, he stressed, "continue to be in discussion with the Association of British Insurers about securing the protection for householders through insurance".

Work has begun to demolish five North Yorkshire cottages which have been gradually sliding down a cliff edge in Whitby.

Heavy rain caused the properties to landslide and contractors today began to build a road at the back of Aelfleda Terrace so heavy equipment can be brought onto the site.

The cottages are likely to be dismantled tile by tile and brick by brick to ensure that other properties nearby are not affected.

For more on this story visit ITV Calendar.

Around 50 roads are closed in North Yorkshire today due to widespread flooding in the region.

For more on the flooding which is affecting this region visit ITV Calendar.

Preparations were being made today to demolish a row of terrace properties in Whitby, North Yorkshire after torrential rain caused the cottages to slide 30ft down the cliff edge.

Engineers are worried five homes on Aelfleda Terrace will collapse and plans are being drawn up to demolish the houses.

For more on this story visit ITV Calendar.

The Environment Agency's three day flood risk forecast shows no new flooding should occur in North Wales, Cornwall, Bath and Bristol later today.

By Friday only Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Dorset should still have a low risk of new flooding.

For more information on flooding in your area visit the Environment Agency's website.

The Environment Agency has reduced the number flood warnings and alerts in England and Wales.

There are a total of 127 warnings and 138 alerts in the following areas:

• Anglia - 20 warnings; 31 alerts
• Midlands - 49 warnings; 26 alerts
• Northeast - 22 warnings; 21 alerts
• Northwest - 2 alerts
• Southeast - 19 warnings; 34 alerts
• Southwest - 15 warnings; 16 alerts
• Wales - 2 warnings; 8 alerts

There are currently no severe flood warnings issued.

The Met Office has issued a number of cold weather alerts across England and Wales as temperatures are set to drop below freezing overnight.

Residents from St Asaph started the clean-up operation today after floods devastated the small Welsh city.

The family of Margaret Hughes, who died in her flood-hit home in North Wales, paid tribute to the "independent and active" 91-year-old.

ITV News correspondent Rupert Evelyn reports:

A row of houses in Whitby will be destroyed after a landslide left the cottages in danger of collapse.

ITV News correspondent Debi Edward reports: