Flood defences need complete rethink, says Environment Agency

David Cameron visits areas worst hit as EA deputy warns the UK's climate is entering an era of 'unknown extremes'

David Cameron has visited some of the areas worst hit by flooding as experts warned that the UK's climate was entering an era of "unknown extremes".

Communities in York, Greater Manchester, Leeds and scores of towns and villages across the north of England faced a daunting clearup as the scale of the flood damage became apparent.