The cost of damage caused by floods over the winter has reached nearly £250m and is still rising, according to the latest figures.

Smith Square said it was still assessing the full tally of devastation caused by storms in northern England.

Worst hit was Cumbria, which suffered about £175m in damage, while Calderdale faces a £33m bill, Northumberland £24m and Lancashire £5m.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said government funding had helped local authorities and their communities to recover from the flooding but warned that councils will need more financial support as the full cost emerges.

Infrastructure including roads, bridges, public rights of way and drainage systems were hit by the flooding.

Cllr Peter Box, chair of the LGA's environment, economy, housing and transport board, said: ‘Councils are still literally counting the cost and the final bill is likely to be much higher.

‘Government has gone a long way to helping hard-hit communities get back on their feet, but it is clear more financial support will be needed for councils.’