http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/photo_galleries/floods_bolton_bury/A clean-up operation is under way in Bolton and Bury as people recover from Boxing Day's devastating floods.

People have been left counting the cost of the damage caused by heavy downpours over Christmas. 

Click on the gallery below for 50+ pictures taken since the floods hit on Boxing Day, including the pooch below who can be seen being brought to safety by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team in Prestolee on Saturday 

(To view the gallery via the Bury Times or Prestwich and Whitefield Guide websites, click here)

The Bolton News: Floods in Bolton and Bury

The Government has sent a further 200 troops to help the rescue efforts in the flood-stricken north.

Rivers in Manchester, York and Leeds burst their banks, leaving properties under water and causing hundreds of people to be evacuated from their homes just days after Christmas.

The Government has vowed to review flood defences as the Army was mobilised to help emergency services carry out mass evacuations.

UPDATED/ VIDEOS: Road closures, homes evacuated and pub collapses as Bury and Bolton hit by flooding

Cars under water and families forced to flee homes after severe flooding across Bolton, Bury, Radcliffe and Stoneclough

Flooding day 2 - latest news on the clean-up operation

David Cameron chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee on Sunday, discussing the catastrophe with cabinet ministers, military and transport bosses, emergency services leaders and the Environment Agency.

A Number 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister praised the work of the emergency services in dealing with this unprecedented event, but recognised this was an incredibly serious situation which had led to some very serious flooding.

"The decision was taken to deploy additional military personnel to ensure those affected by the flooding have the support they need, with 200 personnel being deployed to flood affected areas, alongside the existing 300 already there.

"A further 1,000 military personnel are being held in reserve should the situation worsen."

Emergency financial assistance will also be put in place for affected areas, and homes and businesses damaged by flooding will have access to the same package of support announced for those affected by Storm Desmond.

Greater Manchester Police's chief constable, Ian Hopkins, praised the emergency services and volunteers who he had worked "non-stop" in very difficult conditions to battle the unprecedented flooding.

He said: "A lot of people have been safely evacuated from their homes and thankfully we have not had any reports of serious injuries or fatalities. We have received fantastic support from Bolton and Oldham Mountain Rescue teams who have assisted us in some of the worst hit areas.

"I would also like to thank members of the local communities for their support and the help they have offered throughout the operation."

Mr Hopkins praised farmers who transported people to safety on tractors and others who offered food and drink to emergency services workers.

Urging people to continue to look out for each other, he said: "Your support has made working in these extremely difficult circumstances much easier and it is tough times like these that we really see the great spirit and togetherness of the people of Greater Manchester.

"We are very much in the recovery phase and there are still thousands of people without power so there is still much to do and our thoughts remain with those who have been affected most."