The historic English city of York is overwhelmed by flood water after a crucial flood defence system failed.

The pumping station at the River Foss flood barrier was inundated with water, and risked electrical failure, prompting the Environment Agency to raise it.

About 500 properties were flooded as a result.

Flood defences have been bolstered in recent years, but that has not been enough to prevent some residents of northern England, including the scenic Lake District, from having their homes flooded time and again this month.

Prime Minister David Cameron defended the government's record on flood defences during a visit to York, saying it had committed to spend £2.3 billion over the next six years, and he would consider doing more.

There was a lull in the heavy rain on Monday, and the Environment Agency said river levels were stabilising or starting to fall.