The day Britain went under: UK hit by worst floods in decades as towns become 'mini Venices' and thousands flee their homes after a MONTH of rain falls in 24 hours... and more is on the way 

Floodwater rises as the River Calder bursts its banks in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd, one of the worst hit of the towns and even major cities which have been plunged underwater by the devastating floods across northern England

The hole street is underwater in Mytholmroyd and these images of the devastation show how water levels have risen above the level of the windows in homes and shops in West Yorkshire after a month of rainfall fell in just a day

A fire broke out on the banks of Irwell in nearby Radcliffe, Bury, after the swollen river dislodged a gas pipe causing an explosion

Businesses devastated: View from a balcony over flooded shops in one of the region's worst affected towns, Hendon Bridge

Swept away: In Summerseat, Lancashire, The 200-year-old Waterside pub was built on a bridge over the River Irwell and collapsed due to flooding

Raging: Some residents said they were lucky to be alive after watching a huge section of the pub suddenly wash away in the flooding 

Waterlogged: Flooding on the tracks at Walsden Station in Lancashire, where water is almost reaching the platforms, due to heavy rain

Escape: People in Croston walk through the flooded streets in lifejackets (left). In Whalley, Lancashire (right), this housing development near a railway viaduct, was a lake yesterday after flooding. Residents questioned whether the site would find a buyer or if the developments would ever be completed 

Keeping afloat: Residents are taken to safety by dinghy in Whalley, Lancashire, by specialist crews patrolling the streets

The Environment Agency's flood map turned Britain red and black with warnings on a day when it issued more than 400 warnings

Crushed: A barge crashes into a gantry as waters rise near Centenary Bridge in Leeds, Yorkshire

Stoic: David Skipp has a cuppaon a bench  in Otley, North Yorkshire, despite the flood water almost reaching his knees

Feet up: Mr Skipp relaxes and takes a sip of tea in Otley as the uncontrollable tide flows into the market town 

The River Irwell which devides manchester and Salford has burst it banks on the stretch just at the back of The Lowry Hotel

Air support: The coastguard were also deployed in Mytholmroyd, northwest England after rivers burst their banks

Damaged: The Mill Hey Brew House in Haworth, West Yorkshire suffered severe damage from the floodwater

In Rochdale Town Centre, cars have been left stranded in the streets in the horrendous floods that have hit the entire region

Elsewhere in West Yorkshire, the River Calder burst its banks, leaving what was once a street flooded with water as far as the eye can see

In Brighouse, near the Calder, water has filled the streets on a day when the Environment Agency has issued more than 400 flood warnings

Traffic misery: Workmen repair a 20ft sinkhole which appeared across the M62, causing hours of delays for Boxing Day motorists

A 20ft sinkhole opened up on the M62 westbound carriageway near Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The Highways Agency have shut the road between junctions 20 and 19, sparking traffic chaos in the area

Part of the historic building, in Summerseat, Greater Manchester, which sits on a bridge over the River Irwell, was swept away in the raging waters

Rescue services saved residents from a house on Coach Road in Baildon, near Bradford from flood waters after the River Aire burst its banks

This car, also seen above, has been stranded in Brighouse, where it is now almost impossible to get around without a boat

The River Irwell has burst its banks in Summerseat, Greater Manchester, as torrential rain batters the North of England today

A caravan park inundated by flood water after the River Nidd burst its banks in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

There are more than 200 flood warnings across Britain as home and business owners prepare for serious flooding. Pictured is flooding in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire

There was a suspected gas explosion in Bury, Greater Manchester, due to the flooding near an ASDA supermarket

Residents could do nothing but watch in the town of Brighouse, West Yorkshire, as the raging River Calder escaped into the streets after five inches of rain brought flooding to hundreds of people's homes

Central Manchester was under a deluge today. Above, outside the city's Lowry Hotel beside the River Irwell

Emergency services rescue residents from flooded homes on King Street in Whalley, Lancashire, as the rain batters down

The River Irwell is almost full of water as torrential rain battered down over Summerseat in Greater Manchester today

A man wades through flood waters at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, where flood sirens were sounded after torrential downpours

The River Calder bursts its banks in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd, North Yorkshire, reaching halfway up a bus stop

Emergency services rescue residents from flooded homes on King Street in Whalley, Lancashire this morning

A children's playground is half submerged in water as rivers burst their banks on Boxing Day in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

The area was sealed off and the fire brigade were called to put out the flames around 3.30pm. Eye-witness Saeed Atcha, 19, told the MEN: 'There was a big bang and a huge plume of smoke and then there was an orange light. It was very very scary, like something out of a movie'

Pictured is the market town of Otley, North Yorkshire, where the river Wharfe, has burst its banks. Residents look on as water levels rise

Water has reached five feet in places. The village of Ribchester on the River Ribble, Lancashire has burst its banks in the early hours of this morning

An elderly resident is rescued from her flooded home in Littleborough in Greater Manchester as torrential rain caused mass flooding

Rescue boats were also needed in Baildon, near Bradford, where the water level was so high that is could have rushed into windows after the River Aire burst its banks. This man needed to be rescued after the water flooded his home

A police car has submerged in the flood water in Littleborough, Greater Manchester, as torrential rain wreaked havoc in the North of England

The Army has been deployed to some villages to bolster flood defences as rain continues to fall across the north. Pictured is Mytholmroyd

Residents evacuate their homes on Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire as the River Calder burst its banks due to the heavy rain

A young family evacuate their home due to flooding in Littleborough, Greater Manchester, where flood water is almost as high as the windows in  local homes

Rescue workers patrol the waters after the River Calder bursts its banks. The army has now been deployed to help people in Calderdale

A rescue crew from the Fire service helps someone from flooded Coach Road, Bailfdon, near Bradford, onto the bank

Two women were also helped onto the same steps in Baildon, where rescue efforts to find those in danger are taking place by boat

A Audi car driver takes the risk of driving through flood water in the village of Ribchester on the River Ribble, Lancashire

Residents battle against flood water as the River Calder bursts its banks in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire

A car is abandoned in high flood water on a road leading into Ribchester. The village of Ribchester on the River Ribble, Lancashire has burst its banks in the early hours of this morning

Heavy rain fell over Christmas night and forecasters have warned it will continue in Lancashire for most of the day. Pictured is Ribchester

Road signs are half submerged after the River Calder burst its banks in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire

Emergency services rescue residents from flooded homes on King Street in Whalley, Lancashire this morning as weather warnings are issued across Lancashire and Yorkshire this Boxing Day

Pictured is the flooding in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd, where the water has risen high, almost reaching the traffic light button

Torrential rain has forced rivers to break their banks across the North of England causing devastation for many in the festive season. Pictured is Otley, North Yorkshire

A drain struggles to cope as the River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire

Wet wet wet: December has been dull and wet across the UK, with sunshine well down on the long-term average and precipitation above