Engineers carried out emergency repairs after a stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was hit by severe flooding.

Water poured over the towpath and fields after Autumn leaves and other vegetation blocked a weir at Linthwaite.

The debris meant that water levels on a stretch of the historic canal near Lowestwood Lane rose rapidly, flooding the paths.

A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust, which manages 2,000 miles of British waterways, said: “We are aware of the problem and are currently taking steps to manage the water through the system.

“The flooding was caused by vegetation blocking the weir at the side of the lock.

“The blockage was quickly cleared when the locks were checked this morning and water levels have now subsided and normal operations have resumed.

Flooded towpath in Linthwaite

“Further inspections will take place throughout the day.”

Falling Autumn leaves are a big problem for the Trust and regular inspections are carried out on canals at this time of year to ease the concerns.

The flooding was seen by Marsden cyclist Keith Hopkinson, who was riding along the towpath this morning.

He said: “As I came up through Linthwaite to the stretch near the Titanic Mills I realised the canal had flooded.

“I tried riding through on the towpath but the water was up to the pedals on the bike and had spread along all the paths surrounding the canal.

“It was a big surprise as I knew we hadn’t had any heavy rain. It was really pouring over the lock overflow in a torrent”.

Flooded towpath in Linthwaite