Severe flooding in northern England

British Prime Minister David Cameron was expected to visit flood-stricken parts of northern England on Monday, as troops helped tackle a deluge that has swamped the historic city of York.

The government has dispatched hundreds of soldiers to help deal with unprecedented flooding in the county of Yorkshire, where hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes.

Cameron on Sunday hosted a conference call of Britain's COBRA emergencies committee over the floods, which have caused chaos during the post-Christmas holiday period.

Rivers across northern England have burst their banks, hitting the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as nearby towns and villages. (AFP)

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