On the very day of Mr Hague's press conference, Michael Meacher, the environment secretary, unveiled the latest plans to rescue the rural economy.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

"It is difficult to think of a more difficult environment, " said Steve Rendle, spokesman for Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Current applications for Superbot are being developed with space exploration in mind, but Shen said the technology could be usefully applied in any environment dangerous to humans such as for search and rescue tasks in mines or underwater -- although the laboratory is still working on a morphing robot capable of swimming.

CNN: Robotics discovers its soft side

Silver Command involves staff from North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water.

BBC: Pumps in place in Ryedale due to flood threat

All three Welsh fire and rescue services on Sunday morning said they had not been called to any further incidents so far and Environment Agency Wales said flooding had stabilised.

BBC: Homes evacuated in estate flood

In the meantime, he is working as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot and, with his younger brother, backing charities that support young people, service people and the environment.

BBC: Royal wedding: What are the royal advisers for?