Beauty spot damaged by flooding

The abbey cloister is thought to be worst affected

Flooding and torrential rain has caused substantial damage to a Yorkshire beauty spot.

Tourism officials at the 800-year-old Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, said they were still assessing the cost of the damage.

They said the abbey cloister was worst affected and archaeologists were being called in to examine it.

The abbey and its estate have been classed as a World Heritage Site and attract 300,000 visitors every year.

The River Skell runs through the National Trust estate.

A spokesperson said the flash flooding on Friday happened with such speed and velocity that the whole valley became submerged, including the abbey and mill, along with the estate's water garden.

Environment Agency chiefs have said they were considering a flood defence system for Ripon after the latest flooding problems in the area.