RESCUERS airlifted a Huddersfield couple to safety after a six-hour flood ordeal.

The pair, stranded in their car, were among seven people rescued by RAF helicopter crews after a nightmare trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

It was an ordeal caused by torrential rain which brought floods chaos to the region.

The couple, who have not been named, were taken to hospital but were unhurt.

The rescue was the most serious incident of a number caused by flooding which brought problems for Huddersfield people.

The ordeal came on Saturday evening when the couple were rescued from their car after it broke down in floods in the Yorkshire Dales.

The couple, thought to be in their 50s or 60s, were among seven people rescued by a helicopter from floods on the A684, near Aysgarth.

The engine of their Renault car had cut out because of deep water.

The couple called their breakdown company, but were told a rescue vehicle could not attend the flood site.

North Yorkshire Police officers received a distress call from the couple at 3.45pm, but efforts to reach the trapped people failed.

The seven people were stranded for six hours while officers summoned the helicopter from RAF Kinloss, in northern Scotland.

It arrived at 9.45pm and winched everyone to safety.

The Huddersfield couple were uninjured but were taken to the Friarage Hospital at North- allerton for a check-up.

The five other people rescued were taken to stay at a nearby pub.

Severe flood warnings were issued across North Yorkshire as water levels rose due to melting snow and heavy rain.

Nearer to home the Environment Agency has placed the River Calder on a flood watch, after its levels were swelled by recent snow and rain.

And standing water was reported on the A62 at Cooper Bridge Road, Cooper Bridge, where water runs into a dip beneath a railway bridge, flooding the main road.

The problem was reported on Saturday, but became more serious at about 9.20am on Sunday as the road became submerged in 2ft of water.

Traffic was thrown into chaos as police closed the road and fire crews from Brighouse worked to stem the flooding until 10.20am.

Calderdale Council then called in a private firm to continue the operation.

The road re-opened at 1.21pm.

A burst water main also caused traffic chaos in Dewsbury yesterday.

Emergency services attended the incident at Halifax Road at lunchtime to try and stem the flood.

The main burst with such force that walls were damaged and tarmac was lifted from the roads.

Moorlands Avenue, Willan's Road and Halifax Road were closed for several hours.

For flooding enquiries ring 0848 988 11 88.