The death toll caused by the recent spate of heavy flooding across many parts of the UK in recent weeks has reached four - with three other reported deaths where the circumstances are still being investigated, Hilary Benn, secretary of state for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, has said.

The secretary of state was delivering an update on the serious flooding that has hit many parts of the country - with Lincolnshire and Yorkshire particularly badly affected after heavy rainfall in the last few weeks.

Thousands of home insurance claims will be generated by the floods, experts claim.

"The Environment Agency currently has three Severe Flood Warnings, 25 flood warnings and 55 Flood watches in place in Yorkshire, the Midlands, Lincolnshire and elsewhere," she told the House of Commons.

"All of the Severe Flood Warnings are on the River Don in Yorkshire where flood waters have not yet receded, despite considerable progress as a result of pumping.

"Over 300 people remain in temporary shelters though many more have had to leave their homes and are in other temporary accommodation. The Environment Agency believe that it may be some days before the full 'all clear' can be given in these areas, and I would like to echo their warnings about the dangers of people going into flood waters unnecessarily."