TRIBUTE has been paid to services and volunteers who rallied round to support a community during yesterday's storm.

Torrential rain caused flooding misery across the area.

At Riddlesden, six homes were evacuated and the back garden of one property in Westlea Avenue was washed away into the river. No one was injured.

Houses were also without power. And Keighley East district councillors supported Bradford Council’s emergency management team and volunteers from the Red Cross going door to door to offer support.

People were offered hot water and directed to a food shelter opened at Riddlesden United Reformed Church, in Bar Lane, by Cllr Caroline Firth and volunteers.

Cllr Firth said: "Losing power for the day was difficult for residents, especially vulnerable people, who the council was able to support. But my thoughts are with the six families which have had to be evacuated from their homes. My heart goes out to them, it’s such an awful situation. I’ve managed to speak to a couple of them and I can’t imagine what they are going through.

"I want to thank Riddlesden United Reformed Church for opening its doors to the community, and the various volunteers who helped run the shelter. I know many, many more people who have been willing to step forward to help, as we have a tight-knit community.

"The fallout from the rainfall is still being felt, after various houses across Riddlesden, East Morton and Long Lee were breached by floodwater or were close to being breached. Our emergency teams and utility firms are working hard to help people in this difficult time, while highways and gullies teams are working flat out to clear roads and debris. Their response has been simply amazing, and I can’t thank them enough."