Hundreds of flood warnings remained in place across England and Wales yesterday as flood-ravaged towns woke up to another day of devastation.

Although the weather has improved for much of the UK, the Environment Agency said there was still a possibility of more flooding and disruption for the next 48 hours.

In North Wales hundreds of people spent the night away from their homes after parts of the River Elwy burst in banks and flooded properties.

The EA warned of a risk of flooding in Gloucester, Salisbury, Oxford, Sunbury, Abingdon and York, while mobile flood defences have been erected in Shrewsbury and Bewdley in Worcestershire.

It highlighted areas around slow-responding rivers including the Thames, Trent and the Severn that were at particular risk.

Some 173 flood warnings and 184 flood alerts are still in place across England and Wales, along with two severe flood warnings in the devastated city of St Asaph, Denbighshire and around Rhuddlan, both in north Wales.

Gemma Plumb of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the weather is expected to remain mainly dry for most of the UK throughout the week, with any showers predicted to be significantly lighter than recent days. She added that the weather will turn cold, dropping to below freezing at night. But more severe weather could be on the way.

She said: “There are hints that from Sunday some persistent and heavy rain could come across from the west over the UK, preceded by some snow.”

North Wales Police said an inquest had been opened and adjourned after the body of an elderly woman was discovered inside a flooded home. The woman was discovered by officers conducting house-to-house checks in the Tair Felin area. Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances and her death was being treated as unexplained.