Motorist left stranded in floodwater in Wensleydale after River Ure bursts its banks

The driver was at the wheel in the floodwater near the village of Wensley, in North Yorkshire, on New Year's Day morning. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A motorist was left stranded in floodwater in North Yorkshire on New Year's Day after a river burst its banks.

The driver was behind the wheel of a car near the village of Wensley, in Wensleydale, on Wednesday morning (1 January).

Images show the A684 - where it meets Gale Bank - and surrounding fields immersed in water from a flooded River Ure.

The River Ure, which snakes past Wensley, has burst its banks and flooded surrounding fields. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a report of a male in a car was received at 10:01am but the male "self-rescued" and the service did not need to attend.

Crews were called to four incidents on Tuesday where people had become stuck in their vehicles in floodwater.

The rescues were carried out in Hawes, Skipton and Masham from 5:17pm to 4:14am on Wednesday.

A flood alert, issued by the Environment Agency, is in place for New Year's Day for the river which snakes through North Yorkshire.

It comes after celebrations to ring in the New Year were cancelled due to safety concerns owing to the weather in Newcastle and Ripon.

An alert in place for the River Ure is just one of many alerts and warnings issued across the UK. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Wind, rain and snow warnings are in force across parts of the UK, with the threat of flooding and disruption to New Year’s Day travel.

Trains between Liverpool and Newcastle were being affected by flooding, as well as lines between Manchester Airport and Redcar Central, Manchester Victoria and Scarborough, and Manchester Piccadilly and York.

More than 130 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are in place for England, 10 for Wales and 32 for Scotland.

Large parts of England and Wales will be hit by strong winds until 3pm on Wednesday, while north-west England and Wales are forecast to see heavy rain for much of the morning.

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