Schools, businesses and community organisations were getting back on track this week after last week's torrential rainfall.

But as the forecast for this week brightened, those worst affected by the downpour vowed to improve flood defences on their premises, admitting that they feared a repeat of the disaster was a strong possibility.

Huge torrents of water running down into the valley from the Moors caused chaos throughout the district as buildings, roads and rail lines flooded.

One of the worst areas affected was Burley-in-Wharfedale. Burley Oaks Primary School on Langford Lane was closed to Reception and Year One pupils last Tuesday after classrooms flooded.

Children were relocated elsewhere in the school but by Monday this week carpets had already been replaced and two of the classes affected were back to normal.

Head teacher Roy Pallas said: "Everything has been professionally cleaned and sanitised and we have replaced the carpets that were flooded.

"Luckily staff acted quickly enough to move equipment and nothing else was damaged. The problem for us at the moment is the natural drainage of the whole school site is very poor so when we have a run-off from Ilkley Moor, we tend to flood.

"The school hasn't had a problem like this since November 2000 but because we are on the lowest plain it is always going to be a consideration. We are now looking into flood defences. We can't keep the water off the site but can we keep it out of the building?

"We don't know yet whether we will be able to do that but it is something we shall be looking into over the next few weeks and months."

Officials at the Olicanian Cricket Club,in Ilkley were breathing a sigh of relief when council workers turned up to reinstate a broken drain. Workmen uncovered a Victorian culvert blocked by debris which was adding to the problem of drainage.

The site became saturated during the recent heavy rains rousing fears that it would not be playable in time for the start of the season.

A spokesman for the club said: "Hopefully this will solve the whole problem."

The Environmental Agency was this week keeping a watchful eye on the River Wharfe under Otley's main bridge where a huge uprooted tree became lodged.

Officials have placed an order to remove the tree as soon as water levels in the river drop.

Motorists had a lucky escape last week when gale force winds caused a huge branch to split from a tree and fall across a well-used country road. The massive branch fell last Friday morning blocking off the road at Old Pool Bank, Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Villager Trevor Davey - who photographed the tree said: "The branch was so big it looked like a tree in itself. It just ripped right off and crashed down into the road.

"If anyone had been driving underneath they would have had no chance. Old Pool Bank is a rat run - there is always traffic along there - it's just lucky that it happened mid-morning when the roads are a little quieter."

Police were quickly called to the scene and a local farmer removed the tree after chopping it up with a chain saw.