Selby's new £18m flood defences stood up to their first major test as water levels rose after heavy rain fell on already-saturated land across Yorkshire.

The flood defence scheme isn't quite complete so staff from both the Environment Agency and its contractor, Birse, were carefully scrutinising the defences to check for potential problems - but found none.

Water is being pumped from Selby Dam into the River Ouse by a 24-inch pump brought from the environment agency's south west region as back up for the four pumps in Mill Lane Pumping Station. The agency recently took responsibility for the pumping station and its equipment under new flood management regulations.

-- Advertisement --

Selby Dam drains water from a huge area around Selby which extends as far as Sherburn in Elmet and Church Fenton.

Colin Atkinson, Flood Incident Management Team Leader, said: "There is no doubt that with the new flood defences, the risk of serious flooding in Selby has been significantly reduced.

"We are delighted to see the defences stand up for their first major test but will be monitoring the situation carefully over the next few high tides."

(JM)