Leeds bars and restaurants prepared for more flooding in Storm Dennis onslaught

Heavy wind and rain is set to batter the city, just one week after Storm Ciara brought the city to the verge of flooding.

Storm Ciara provided the biggest test to date of defences designed to protect Leeds businesses and homes, with the River Aire reaching its highest levels since the Storm Eva floods of Christmas 2015.

But 'flood proof' windows and doors installed at Aire Bar in The Calls - at a cost of more than £100,000 - failed to keep the rising river waters at bay.

Ahead of Storm Dennis, bar owner Chris Howard said staff were going back to the familiar sandbags method.

"We are just putting into action the flood plan we have been using for the last 15 years," Mr Howard told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"We're moving furniture, stock and other expense items out of the way of the water. When we lose that stuff it prevents us from trading.

"It's quite shocking given how much money's been spent. We didn't think we'd have to be doing this again given the level of investment - but it's clearly not enough, or it has not been effective enough.

"It's pretty disappointing given how many assurances we had that this would never happen again.

"Now we are just hoping for the best. It's like the adrenaline get when you're coming to the top of a big roller coaster, knowing what's coming on the other side."

This week Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has urged the Government to "stop gambling with people's livelihoods and safety" and pay the £23m shortfall for critical flood defence work in the city.

It's a call echoed by Kirkstall Road curry house owner Azram Chaudhry.

His Sheesh Mahal restaurant, which insurance companies will not cover, was deluged in the 2015 floods.

An old building, it is the restaurant's basement which is vulnerable to flooding from overflowing drains, with sandbags providing little protection.

"We are still living in fear every time it rains," he said. "We are just praying that it passes peacefully and safely."

The businessman been overwhelmed by goodwill messages from customers and friends concerned for him, but Mr Chaudhry added: "People volunteer to help, but I would like the Government to do something about it.

"My heart pumps faster and faster ever time it rains.

"More needs to be done - they are spending billions on HS2.

"If flooding happens again, I will be devastated."