A hero father last night described how he saved his daughter from death after she fell into a storm drain during the floods.

Mark Baxter, a sergeant in the RAF, told how he jumped into the rain-lashed River Wear at Chester le Street, County Durham, to pluck three-year-old Leona to safety.

The drama unfolded as heavy downpours hit towns and villages across England, claiming six lives and costing tens of millions of pounds in damage.

The girl had plunged down the drain and was sucked 150ft through a storm-swollen drain into the river.

Police said that it was only due to her father's quick response that the girl survived.

Mr Baxter realised what had happened and dived into the river to pluck his daughter to safety after she had been thrown into the swollen river from the drain. His wife, Beverley, joined in the rescue.

“I ran across to the river. I seen what I thought was Leona's coat.”

Pausing to compose himself, Mr Baxter continued: “It wasn't just her coat, it was Leona face down in the river.

“I jumped in, grabbed her. The water got up to about my shoulder level and I put her across my shoulders.

“I started patting her back to try and make her breath because she wasn't breathing when I pulled her out of the water.

“I managed to pass Leona, who was coughing and spluttering and crying, and as I passed her over she was sick and lots of water came out,” Mr Baxter said.

“I gave her to Bev, who was in the river, but much more nearer the bank than me.

“I couldn't move because my wellies were full of water. I could stay balanced but I couldn't move at all.

“The passers-by pulled Bev and Leona out of the water and as soon as she was coughing and spluttering I was a lot happier.

“Bev started doing first aid with the police, who were there in a matter of minutes.”

Mr Baxter (34) his wife Beverley (32) and children six-year-old Kiah and Leona, were at Riverside Park in walking the family dog, Brophy, a 10-month-old boxer-mastiff cross.

They had been visiting Mrs Baxter's grandparents for a family birthday and were stretching Brophy's legs before returning home to Leeming, North Yorkshire, where Mr Baxter is based.

Leona was paddling in six inches of flood water when she suddenly disappeared down the uncovered drain, which had been concealed by the flood water.