AS flood waters subsided over the weekend, householders and businesses were counting the cost of the clean-up.

Hundreds of properties became flooded in West Yorkshire after a month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours on Friday.

The River Calder began to swell as nightfall approached, eventually reaching a record high of 3.2 metres.

At about 9pm the centres of Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden were flooded as the river burst its banks.

While the majority of the damage was sustained in the Upper Calder Valley, areas of Brighouse, the Colne Valley and Dewsbury were also hit by minor flooding.

At one point the Environment Agency had more than 40 flood alerts along the Calder, including at Brighouse, Elland, Cooper Bridge, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe and as far afield as Stanley, Wakefield.

Firefighters from Brighouse were heavily involved in rescues and the subsequent clean-up operation.

On Friday evening the station used its special rescue boat to retrieve six people trapped on a barge in a lock near Callis Bridge, Hebden Bridge.

Flood water receded on Saturday morning but many properties were left with waist deep water in their cellars and the Brighouse crew spent the afternoon pumping out a row of 15 houses on Commercial Street, Todmorden.

Emergency services and Calderdale Council worked through the night to ensure people were looked after. Todmorden leisure centre, Calder High School and other local organisations opened as rest centres, where people sheltered for the night.

Firefighters across West Yorkshire had a busy weekend responding to incidents.

The Combined Aerial Rescue Pump based at Halifax rescued a male from floodwater near Walton Street in Sowerby Bridge.

The High Volume Pump and Hose Laying Unit from Stanningley in Leeds have been pumping out at a foundry in Todmorden and also from roads around the town centre in the Halifax Road and Rochdale Road areas.

Appliances also attended Dewsbury Sports Centre, where the basement was flooded.

Chemicals used to treat the pool water were stored inside and a specialist chemical unit from Dewsbury was called to assist.

Firefighters spent much of Saturday pumping out properties in Hebden Bridge, Green Hill Industrial Estate in Burnley Road, Mytholmroyd.

Group Manager Nigel Hotson, Calderdale District Commander, said: “It was a very difficult and challenging evening, but the flooding was dealt with professionally and efficiently by staff from all agencies.”

The heavy rain also led to the last minute cancellation of dozens of community events, including Ravensknowle Gala, a talent contest on Saturday, Harden Moss Sheepdog rials and events in Golcar, Cumberworth and Berry Brow..