Heavy rain has caused more flooding in northern England, with homes evacuated in Lancashire and Yorkshire, and rivers overflowing in Manchester and Leeds.Damage has included the destruction of a former pub in Greater Manchester, and a large hole has appeared in the M62.

The Met Office has issued two severe weather warnings, meaning danger to life, for further rainfall.

Over 400 flood alerts and warnings – more than 30 of them severe – are in place for England, Scotland and Wales.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “My thoughts are with people whose homes have been flooded. I’ll chair a COBRA [emergency committee] call tomorrow to ensure everything is being done to help.”

In pictures: North of England flooding

The River Irwell and River Roch have both overflowed, causing flooding in Salford, Manchester city centre and Rochdale, while roads in central Leeds, where a severe warning is in place on the River Aire, are also under water.

BBC Weather forecaster Alex Deakin said the heavy rain would move southwards after midnight, leaving drier conditions in northern England.

While there would be more rain in the north during Sunday, it would not be as intense or prolonged as the downpours on Boxing Day, he added.

Key developments:

• The two red Met Office warnings for rain have been issued for parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire
• There are seven severe flood warnings in Lancashire – meaning flooding is expected and there is a danger to life – and 24 in Yorkshire
• Houses in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, and in Ribchester and Whalley, Lancashire, were evacuated after rivers burst their banks
• Soldiers, who were deployed to Cumbria on Christmas Eve, have been helping residents in Lancashire
• Several rivers have overflowed their banks, including the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, leaving houses and a bowling club flooded
• Every river in Lancashire exceeded record levels, the Environment Agency said
• The M62 is closed westbound between junction 20 at Rochdale and junction 19 at Middleton after a large hole appeared in the carriageway as result of rain, with traffic being diverted
• A 200-year-old former pub located on a bridge over the River Irwell was destroyed by flooding at Summerseat, Greater Manchester
• The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 10 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, as well as a number of flood alerts
• Emergency services including Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police are warning motorists not to drive unless they need to, with some roads closed

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “A severe flood warning means danger to life. It doesn’t mean ‘come and have a look’! Please don’t come to visit Whalley or Ribchester now.”

Ribchester resident Alan Tomlinson told the BBC the situation was “pretty grim” with many homes at risk of flooding.

“The village is under siege really,” he said. “The routes to the south are cut off and the route to the north, to Longridge, is under threat.”

Kellie Hughes, a hairdresser who lives in Whalley, said the situation was “a million times worse” than a fortnight ago when floods also hit.

She said: “It’s just horrific, really bad. I’ve got the sandbags down here and just doing the best I possibly can.

“There are no more sandbags anywhere. People are panicking. That’s my business and my home, it’s a double whammy.”

The government’s emergency committee, Cobra, met for a second day in a row. Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, who announced a review of flood defences earlier this month, said the priority “continues to be protecting lives, protecting homes and protecting businesses”.

Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole said the record rainfall and repeated flooding in December were a sign of changing climate and highlighted the need for greater action by the government.

Local Government Association environment spokesman Peter Box said councils were “pulling out all the stops” to find accommodation for those forced to leave their homes amid flooding.

“Storms in Cumbria and Lancashire have reminded us just how unforgiving and formidable nature can be but councils in the regions have worked hard to try and minimise the impact on residents,” he added.

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