No baths as York floods

York University was struggling to stay in operation this week following the worst flooding in the city for more than 400 years.

Staff and students were being asked not to take baths and to keep loo-flushing to a minimum. Lab experiments were cancelled as the waste-treatment centres around the city were flooded and there was nowhere to pump waste water.

A spokeswoman said: "There are 10,000 people on campus and while we don't want anyone to panic, we are asking them to take precautions."

Most staff were managing to reach the university, a handful by boat. Many were having to walk as buses were suspended. Those who drove to work were keeping an eye on road closures and moving their cars as necessary.

The university suffers from minor flooding most winters as it is built on a marsh. Nothing on this scale has happened before. Some staff were moved out of flooded homes. One lost her goldfish, which swam away.

• Students at Reading University had a narrow escape when high winds ripped the roof off the Whiteknights hall of residence just off the main campus at 5am on Monday. No one was hurt, but 38 students had to be rehoused.