For the first time in recent years, the Boxing Day Pilgrimage from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey has been cancelled because of bad weather.
The decision was taken a few minutes before the start of the service of Holy Communion at Ripon Cathedral, and came as roads towards Ripon became impassable. The walk follows the route taken by 12th century monks who left Ripon on Boxing Day 1132 to follow the River Skell to Fountains. However high water levels mean that the River Skell has overflowed in a number of places between Fountains Abbey and Ripon.
Meanwhile routes to Ripon have been affected by the heavy rain. The main A61 from Leeds to Harrogate was closed at the River Wharfe bridge at Harewood, and standing water covered many other parts of the A61 between Harrogate and Ripon.