Ford has loaned Ranger pick-up trucks to council staff investigating the damage from the floods in the north of England in December.

The Rangers were deployed to help the City of York and Cumbria County Councils with the clean-up and repair efforts, and continue to support vital recovery operations.

Two Rangers are still in daily use in the county.

Peter Hosking, Cumbria County Council’s highways network manager, said: “While the county’s A-roads have for the most part been unscathed, we have numerous B-roads and single-track roads damaged by water run-off, and they have had to be inspected and closed where necessary.

"With so many road closures, just getting around and finding a route can be challenging, and the Rangers have been a real lifeline to allow our surveying teams to get access to those difficult areas.

“Our fleet isn’t huge so the loan of these Ford Rangers has certainly added to our capacity, helped staff to get about, and has made a big difference.”

Ford Rangers were also loaned to York council to help with the city’s fortnight-long clean-up.