TRADERS in a North Yorkshire market town say their businesses have been hit by flooding more than 260 miles away.

Members of Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade said they have received dozens of calls from customers concerned that they would not be able to reach the town after watching television weather forecasts.

Emma Lee, manager of the Best Western Crown Hotel, in Horsefair, said weather forecasters on BBC, ITV and Sky had referred to the area surrounding Burrowbridge, being flooded, but had not said it was in Somerset.

Some of her guests have called to cancel bookings under the mistaken belief that the North Yorkshire town, was deluged.

Ms Lee added Boroughbridge town centre had not been flooded since 1991 and called on broadcasters to be clearer.

She said: “We are constantly receiving flooding calls and it is having a detrimental effect on business, customers are calling worried that they will not get to the hotel because of flooding and in some cases are cancelling.

“If there was a risk of flooding in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, I would be the first to know because the Environment Agency early warning system automatically calls my mobile telephone to alert that flooding may be imminent.“

Barbara Lambert-Hill, president of the chamber, said the missed business was a blow after a concerted drive to market the town had boosted trade.

She said: “Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire is definitely open for business.”

The BBC, ITV and Sky did not respond to requests for a comment.