Aerial pictures over the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds, show where the River Aire has burst its banks. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Kirkstall Road, near the Vue cinema, was closed to traffic as water deluged the area.

Trains between the city and Skipton and Ilkley were cancelled, and flooding was reported as far out as Weetwood.

Onlooker Lauren Potts tweeted dramatic video of flooding on Kirkstall Road, saying it was “like a river - people gathering to look, they can’t believe what they’re seeing”.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

The River Aire at Leeds Crown Point, usually at a height of 0.9 metre had risen to 2.95 metres at 1am on Sunday. Its previous high was 2.45 metres recorded in June 2007.

Other areas affected include Neptune Street, Sovereign Street, Asda House and Canal Wharf including the Brewery.

Aerial pictures over the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds, show where the River Aire has burst its banks. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Aerial pictures over the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds, show where the River Aire has burst its banks. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Aerial pictures over the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds, show where the River Aire has burst its banks. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Aerial pictures over the Kirkstall Road area of Leeds, show where the River Aire has burst its banks. Picture: Ross Parry Agency