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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said widespread flooding across the UK is "not looking like something we need to escalate to the level of a national emergency".

Speaking during a visit to the flood-hit town of Matlock in Derbyshire on Friday night, Mr Johnson said the government will "certainly stand by ready to help" after the country was hit by deluge of downpours described as "almost biblical".

The Prime Minister's visit came after the death of a woman who was reportedly swept away by floodwater as parts of the Midlands and northern England were battered by a month's worth of rain in one day.

The body of the woman, who has not been identified, was recovered in Darley Dale, near Matlock, on Friday morning after being swept away in the nearby village of Rowsley.

Flash floods wreak havoc on north of England - In pictures 50 show all Flash floods wreak havoc on north of England - In pictures 1/50 A car sits in flood water in the town of Fishlake near Doncaster after the river Don burst its banks on November 11 Getty Images 2/50 A swan that was covered in oil due to floods being washed, one of many which are being rescued as part of a large operation following the flooding in South Yorkshire PA 3/50 Police walk through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster as they continue to help local residents PA 4/50 Belongings sit in floodwater outside a house in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 5/50 A swan that was recovered from floodwater, one of many which are being rescued as part of a large operation following the flooding in South Yorkshire PA 6/50 A man walks through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster. PA 7/50 A car drives through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster PA 8/50 A flooded farm on the road to Fishlake on November 11 Getty Images 9/50 A man walks through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster PA 10/50 A view of the flood water at Fishlake, in Doncaster, PA 11/50 A car sits in floodwater outside a home in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 12/50 The scene in Townsend Street in Belfast following heavy overnight rain PA 13/50 A tractor drives through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 14/50 A public footpath sign is seen beside a flooded farm on the road to Fishlake Getty Images 15/50 Members of the Fire and Rescue service evacuate an elderly resident from a flooded house in the Bentley suburb of Doncaster AFP via Getty Images 16/50 An RAF Chinook in Doncaster moving tonnes of aggregate to a cut off a spit of land to shore up flood defences and improve drainage as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours PA 17/50 Paul Croucher mops his parents' living room after it was flooded in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 18/50 An aerial view of houses and cars submerged under water following severe flooding in Doncaster Getty Images 19/50 Adele Croucher pours water from her Wellington boots before getting into her daughter's car to remove it from floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 20/50 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock on November 8 Getty Images 21/50 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Caroline Flint visit flood hit Conisbrough Getty Images 22/50 A young child is rescued from their home by a crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service after severe flooding in Doncaster Getty Images 23/50 A member of the Fire and Rescue service wades through flood water as he passes an abandoned car on a flooded road Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 24/50 Residents in Yarborough Terrace in Doncaster, Yorkshire, as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, with scores of people rescued or forced to evacuate their homes, others stranded overnight in a shopping centre, and travel plans thrown into chaos PA 25/50 Men are rescued from flood waters by members of the Fire and Rescue Service after the River Don burst its banks o Getty Images 26/50 Residents walk through floodwater in Doncaster AFP via Getty Images 27/50 An abandoned car stands in flood waters after the River Don burst its banks Getty Images 28/50 People are ferried to safety through the floodwaters in Rotherham, near Sheffield Reuters 29/50 An abandoned car is pictured in flood water surrounding buildings in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 30/50 Workers inspect flooded rail tracks at Rotherham train station in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 31/50 Police activity near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 32/50 Abandoned cars are pictured in a flooded car park in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 33/50 An abandoned van is pictured in flood water near residential buildings in Rotherham, AFP via Getty Images 34/50 Members of the Fire and Rescue service make their way through flood water covering a flooded road Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 35/50 An emergency service worker stands at a flooded road in central Rotherham Reuters 36/50 An emergency service worker stands at a flooded road in central Rotherham Reuters 37/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield where some people were forced to stay overnight after heavy rain and flooding caused local roads to become gridlocked PA 38/50 A lorry drives through floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 39/50 A police officer mans a roadblock near Meadowhall shopping centre PA 40/50 A sign shows cancelled trains at a station close to the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 41/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 42/50 A car in a flooded street Sheffield on Thursday, November 7 PA 43/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield where some people were forced to stay overnight PA 44/50 Flood water outside Meadowhall shopping centre PA 45/50 In Sheffield, hundreds of people in Meadowhall shopping centre were left stranded due to flooding. Lee Parkinso 46/50 A man walks through a flooded road in Whirlow, Sheffield PA 47/50 A man cycles through a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA 48/50 A car passing through a flooded road in Whirlow PA 49/50 A man with car in a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA 50/50 A person wades through a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA 1/50 A car sits in flood water in the town of Fishlake near Doncaster after the river Don burst its banks on November 11 Getty Images 2/50 A swan that was covered in oil due to floods being washed, one of many which are being rescued as part of a large operation following the flooding in South Yorkshire PA 3/50 Police walk through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster as they continue to help local residents PA 4/50 Belongings sit in floodwater outside a house in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 5/50 A swan that was recovered from floodwater, one of many which are being rescued as part of a large operation following the flooding in South Yorkshire PA 6/50 A man walks through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster. PA 7/50 A car drives through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster PA 8/50 A flooded farm on the road to Fishlake on November 11 Getty Images 9/50 A man walks through floodwater near Fishlake in Doncaster PA 10/50 A view of the flood water at Fishlake, in Doncaster, PA 11/50 A car sits in floodwater outside a home in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 12/50 The scene in Townsend Street in Belfast following heavy overnight rain PA 13/50 A tractor drives through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 14/50 A public footpath sign is seen beside a flooded farm on the road to Fishlake Getty Images 15/50 Members of the Fire and Rescue service evacuate an elderly resident from a flooded house in the Bentley suburb of Doncaster AFP via Getty Images 16/50 An RAF Chinook in Doncaster moving tonnes of aggregate to a cut off a spit of land to shore up flood defences and improve drainage as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours PA 17/50 Paul Croucher mops his parents' living room after it was flooded in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 18/50 An aerial view of houses and cars submerged under water following severe flooding in Doncaster Getty Images 19/50 Adele Croucher pours water from her Wellington boots before getting into her daughter's car to remove it from floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster PA 20/50 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock on November 8 Getty Images 21/50 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Caroline Flint visit flood hit Conisbrough Getty Images 22/50 A young child is rescued from their home by a crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service after severe flooding in Doncaster Getty Images 23/50 A member of the Fire and Rescue service wades through flood water as he passes an abandoned car on a flooded road Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 24/50 Residents in Yarborough Terrace in Doncaster, Yorkshire, as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, with scores of people rescued or forced to evacuate their homes, others stranded overnight in a shopping centre, and travel plans thrown into chaos PA 25/50 Men are rescued from flood waters by members of the Fire and Rescue Service after the River Don burst its banks o Getty Images 26/50 Residents walk through floodwater in Doncaster AFP via Getty Images 27/50 An abandoned car stands in flood waters after the River Don burst its banks Getty Images 28/50 People are ferried to safety through the floodwaters in Rotherham, near Sheffield Reuters 29/50 An abandoned car is pictured in flood water surrounding buildings in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 30/50 Workers inspect flooded rail tracks at Rotherham train station in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 31/50 Police activity near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 32/50 Abandoned cars are pictured in a flooded car park in Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 33/50 An abandoned van is pictured in flood water near residential buildings in Rotherham, AFP via Getty Images 34/50 Members of the Fire and Rescue service make their way through flood water covering a flooded road Rotherham AFP via Getty Images 35/50 An emergency service worker stands at a flooded road in central Rotherham Reuters 36/50 An emergency service worker stands at a flooded road in central Rotherham Reuters 37/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield where some people were forced to stay overnight after heavy rain and flooding caused local roads to become gridlocked PA 38/50 A lorry drives through floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 39/50 A police officer mans a roadblock near Meadowhall shopping centre PA 40/50 A sign shows cancelled trains at a station close to the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 41/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield PA 42/50 A car in a flooded street Sheffield on Thursday, November 7 PA 43/50 A car sits in floodwater near Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield where some people were forced to stay overnight PA 44/50 Flood water outside Meadowhall shopping centre PA 45/50 In Sheffield, hundreds of people in Meadowhall shopping centre were left stranded due to flooding. Lee Parkinso 46/50 A man walks through a flooded road in Whirlow, Sheffield PA 47/50 A man cycles through a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA 48/50 A car passing through a flooded road in Whirlow PA 49/50 A man with car in a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA 50/50 A person wades through a flooded street Sheffield, after torrential rain in the area. PA

Asked what the government was doing to support people during floods, Mr Johnson said: "We've got a huge programme of flood defences and flood preparation - there's £2.6 billion going into it and I think £50 million has gone into Derbyshire alone.

"But in the end, you've got to face the reality that places like this are vulnerable to flooding - we're going to see more of it.

"So we're going to rely on local authorities to do the excellent job they have done here in this situation and we're going to rely on the emergency services and also prepare for the next event.

"The crucial thing is to put in the preparations and that's what we're doing."

Swineshaw in the Peak District saw 112mm of rainfall during Thursday - the highest total of anywhere across England - while flood-hit parts of Sheffield experienced 85mm during the same period.

The average monthly rainfall total for Yorkshire at this time of year is 89mm.

Addressing what support was on offer for those whose homes or businesses had flooded on Friday, Mr Johnson said: "It's businesses particularly who deserve our sympathies and they've had a really tough time.

General Election 2019 - In pictures 83 show all General Election 2019 - In pictures 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters

"You cannot underestimate the psychological effect of flooding on people - it is a big, big blow.

"People have been moved out of their homes and probably hundreds of businesses have seen damage to their properties - we stand ready to help in any way that we can.

"We are seeing more and more serious flooding - perhaps because of building, almost certainly because of climate change - we need to prepare and we need to be investing in those defences and that's what this government is doing."

Residents in Toll Bar, near Doncaster, described Thursday's downpour as "almost biblical" while others made comparisons with deluges which devastated communities in the summer of 2007.

Pressed on whether he could be more specific in what help would be available, the Prime Minister said: "Nadhim Zahawi, the business minister, is ready to help small businesses in any way that they need to get back on their feet - whether it's loans or particular support they need for the short term to do with flood damage they have sustained.

"At the moment, touch wood, this is not looking like something that we need to escalate to the level of a national emergency but we certainly stand by ready to help small businesses in any way that we can."