Nottinghamshire County Council has sent 1,000 sandbags to the Bradford and Calderdale areas of Yorkshire which are battling flooding following the severe weather conditions which have affected the north of England over the past few days.

The County Council’s emergency planning and highways teams swung into action on Monday and offered their assistance following TV footage of the floods.

The sandbags were dispatched from the Council’s Markham Moor highways depot on three lorries early this morning and were due to arrive in Bradford by lunchtime.

“At a time when they should be enjoying a festive break, the communities in the Bradford and Calderdale areas are battling against some terrible floods that have left homes and businesses under water,” said Coun Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council.

“The forecast is now for more rain and high winds and this is likely to cause more problems for residents who are already suffering great distress and discomfort.

“Coming to the aid of others when they need it the most is this Council’s main purpose. When we got the call to help, we acted without hesitation in the full knowledge that they would have helped us if we were suffering.

“It’s at times like this that we at Nottinghamshire County Council rise to the challenge.”