In northeast England 1800 bridges are to be examined for weaknesses after six bridges collapsed in heavy flooding this week.

Five bridges have been closed as a precaution, which has led to huge traffic jams.

On Friday a policeman in Cumbria drowned when the bridge he was standing on to direct traffic caved in.

In Devon a canoeist drowned in a swollen river. A woman is thought to have been swept away by floodwaters in Brecon in South Wales.

More rain is expected in Cumbria and other parts of Great Britian in the coming days.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the worst hit areas on Saturday. As the clean up operation begins in some places, dozens of people are still in shelters, 700 homes are without power. Up to 100 million pounds in insurance claims are expected in Cumbria and Scotland.

The excessive rainfall has beaten all records. More than 300 milimetres of rain fell within 24 hours.

Ireland has also been hit by extreme weather conditions.

Photo: Flooding in Cockermouth England - ANP