Chinook Joins Fight Against Floods

The 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Regiment (2 Lancs) are continuing the fight against the floods in York for the third day over the festive season.

They've spent much of the day working with the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team evacuating residents from flooded homes.

They were joined by a Chinook airlifting vital parts to engineers working on pumps inside the city's damaged Foss Barrier.

David Cameron has also been visiting the region and took time to meet and thank some of the troops who have been working alongside the emergency services.

Around 45 soldiers from Blenheim Company have been "warning and informing' residents in parts of the New Earswick and Heworth areas of the city ahead of any potential flooding.

The soldiers knocked on doors of houses close to the River Foss to ensure they were aware of the risk of flooding and to ascertain if they needed help being evacuated should it be required.

Sergeant Chris O'Malley was one of the soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment on the ground knocking on doors in the area. He said: "We are happy to help - we will do as much as we can to support the emergency services.

"The public have been amazing. When you consider what they are going through, they are giving us so much support. They have given us chocolates and food, they have just been brilliant."

Geoff Bunce whose house overlooks the River Foss in New Earswick said: "This is the worst I've known it and I've lived here all my life."

"I was watching the river rising yesterday. It was a good 12 feet away, but it was still worrying. It was brilliant to walk down to see the soldiers knocking on doors and offering help."

Elaine Woodward who served with the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) and was attached to the Royal Artillery in Larkhill, also lives in the area: "Its nice to know they are coming to warn us about the potential of flooding, but I hope we will be alright. I might just move my car."