VILLAGERS put on alert after the Environment Agency predicted flooding for several communities got a reprieve last night.

Yesterday morning, after days of heavy rain, officials issued four flood warnings – its second highest alert level – for narrow becks near Highburton, Kirkburton and Fenay Bridge.

The villages were later taken off the “at risk” list after water levels dropped.

But last night, forecasters warned the worse may still be to come, with further rainfall and 60mph winds expected overnight, with experts warning people the conditions pose a “serious threat to life” in some parts of the UK.

Rainfall is estimated to be around 15mm across the spine of Britain, including the Pennines.

The Environment Agency had said North Road, Low Town and Church Green in Kirkburton were likely to flood today if the forecasted rain arrived overnight.

The Spa Bottom area, including the area from Fenay Lane to Penny Lane, Penistone Road, Fenay Lea Drive, Beckside Gardens and Mereside, was also put on notice.

In Highburton, areas around the confluence of Dean Bottom Dike and Woodsome Beck to Woodsome Bridge were on alert as was the Fenay Bridge area.

But by mid-afternoon the warnings were removed.

An Environment Agency spokesman yesterday urged people in the affected areas to use daylight hours to prepare.

Emergency teams from the Environment Agency worked over the weekend to monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and operate pumping stations and washlands to try and manage river levels.