Flood warning for County Durham and Teesside

The A19 near Hartlepool was passable only with care

People in County Durham and Teesside faced travel disruption after heavy rain brought flooding to many areas.

Motorists faced massive delays with major routes like the A19 closed near Hartlepool and the A1M passable only with care due to standing water.

The Environment Agency said a number of flood warnings and flood alerts remained in place, with more rain forecast.

Southern County Durham and the Loftus area of East Cleveland were among the worst affected areas.

The agency said a band of rain sat across the region from York to Durham for much of the day, bringing with it "significant disruption".

'Minimise risks'

Bishopton Redmarshall Primary School, near Stockton, was closed on Monday after access roads were flooded. Darlington Borough Council said it was "unsafe" for staff and pupils to travel.

More than 20 A and B roads were classed as impassable during the day.

At one point, the northbound A19 at Sheraton, near Hartlepool, had an eight-mile queue of traffic because of delays caused by standing water on the road.

Environment Agency flood risk manager Phil Younge urged people to "prepare" for further rain.

He said: "Our teams have been out around the clock over the last few days to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding.

River levels are rising at Browns Bridge in Stockton

"We are urging people to remain vigilant and check their risk of flooding."

Police urged motorists to continue to take extra care, warning of standing water on many roads.

'Real village effort'

Steve Waite, club secretary at Carlin How and District Working Men's Club near Saltburn, said staff from the nearby Tata steelworks had helped to pump water out of the building.

"We are starting to make a bit of headway, but the club cellar has had 5ft of water," he said.

"Tata sent a tanker over and some lads have been pumping water out.

"People from all over the village have been helping each other, it's been a real village effort."

Tuesday's meeting at Sedgefield Races has been abandoned because the track is waterlogged.