Extra Troops Deployed To Help Flood Victims

Extra troops are to be deployed across the North of England, as rivers continue to break their banks, taking the number currently helping in the crisis to around 900.

With floodwaters expected to peak on Monday afternoon a further 1500 armed forces personnel are on standby should conditions worsen.

Soldiers from 2 Lancs (The 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancashire's Regiment) have been assisting the Fire, Police and Rescue Services to deliver flood defences and help rescue people trapped in their properties.

One hundred members of Blenheim Company have been on the streets since Christmas Eve in Appleby, Braithwaite, Keswick, Ribchester and Whalley before rushing to help in York. Two more companies of troops, comprising of a 100 soldiers each, are deployed elsewhere in the region.

Having been called upon to help several times over the last month, 2 Lancs have nicknamed themselves the Storm Chasers; rescuing guests from hotels, residents from care homes and building temporary flood defences.