More problems for flood homeless

It is believed more than 3,000 people have been left homeless

A Doncaster estate agent has said families left homeless by flooding could struggle to find alternative accommodation in the town.

It is believed about 1,500 families - more than 3,000 people - have been left homeless by the disaster.

But estate agent Anthony Kerrigan said there were only between 200 and 300 houses available for rent in the town.

On Thursday, communities secretary Hazel Blears visited areas affected by flooding in Sheffield.

'National effort'

Touring the Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Ms Blears was repeatedly pressed on what "hard cash" was going to be made available to victims by the government.

She said: "It is absolutely vital that the local authorities, who have been in the lead and have done some fantastic work, are supported by a complete cross-government effort, and we'll be ensuring that that happens."

Inspecting the damage alongside floods minister John Healey and former Home Secretary and local MP David Blunkett, Ms Blears denied accusations that the government would have responded differently if the flooding had happened in London.

She said: "This is a national effort because we know that the problems that have been suffered by people are not going to go away once the immediate floodwater has gone away and that's why there's a pledge of ongoing support, particularly working with those local councils."