Prime Minister David Cameron to chair Cobra meeting to co-ordinate government response to floods

The Prime Minister and the Environment Secretary said their thoughts were with those affected by the floods

Flooding in Hebden Bridge (Steve Morgan)

Prime Minister David Cameron is set to chair an emergency Cobra committee meeting in order to discuss the government's response to the floods, which have affected thousands in the north of England in the last few days.

The Prime Minister said his thoughts were with those who had become victims of the flooding, amid reports that he would visit the affected areas next week.

On Saturday evening, there were 232 flood warnings and 144 flood alerts across England and Wales, and serious red weather alerts - signifying danger to life - were issued by the Met Office for the North West and Yorkshire.

Rochdale has been particularly badly affected, with 10,000 homes having had their power cut off after a main electricity substation was flooded.

Other areas of Greater Manchester, including Salford, Bolton, Bury and Wigan were also badly affected.

The floods have been called the worst in recent memory, with areas not typically affected by seasonal floods facing severe problems.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "My thoughts and sympathy continue to be with people flooded out of their homes this Christmas and I can assure them we are doing everything we can to help communities recover from these storms."

Cobra meetings were held on Christmas Day and Boxing Day morning to co-ordinate the response to the floods, but a third has been scheduled for the 27th as the floods became worse throughout the day.

Those in areas covered by red flood warnings are advised to prepare for flooding, follow the advice from the emergency services, and never to risk driving through flood waters.