Flood water was cleared from Kidlington yesterday morning after a collapsed sewer pipe in a nearby field overflowed from heavy rainfall. 

Fire crews were in the village until early evening helping homeowners remove flood water away from their properties.

Sandbags were due to be delivered to homes on Saturday afternoon.

Today the river Thrupp, north of Kidlington, is still within the 'flooding possible' range at 2.16 metres.

Resident Joan Proffit said yesterday: "I was shocked when I saw the water. It wasn't until my son came round at 7.30am that he told me."

Nextdoor neighbour Emma Briggs, who saw about eight inches of water rise to her front door, added: "It was such a surprise, but everyone around has been so helpful and supportive."

Alan Blunsdon, who has lived in Lock Crescent for more than 30 years, was in Banbury morning when his wife Cris called to tell him the bad news.

He said: "My wife said if I wanted to leave the house I would have to paddle through the water.

"We've seen the drains fill up before but this is what happens when the sewer collapses and you get a lot of heavy rain." 

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth was on hand to help crews and residents.

He said: "It's great to see the fire crews here helping out and Thames Water have done their bit as well.

"I want to thank everyone's who come out to support us today."

On Sunday he confirmed that Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue crews had left the scene by early evening but continued to monitor the site in case it got worse.

Parish council chairman Maurice Billington said a sewer on Sandy Lane, which collapsed a few days before, had flooded overnight. 

He said he had spoken to Thames Water about it and water had reached as far as Morton Avenue and Grovelands. 

Mr Billington said a tanker was on scene and there would be more coming from Thames Water.

Station Manager Gary D’anger said: "We are starting to see some surface water collecting in the local area and we plan to pump this away and then offer some protection using sandbags.

He added that the Fire and Rescue service were keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and river levels at this time.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood said she had recieved reports the pumping station had broken down, causing foul water flooding.

She added that Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Water had been called for more sandbags and pumping trucks.

Lying water has been reported elsewhere in the county, including Oatlands Recreation Ground off Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford and on the A4095.

It comes as a severe weather warning has been issued for Oxfordshire, following heavy rain overnight.

The Met Office has warned people to expect outbreaks of showers and thuinder, which will continue until late this evening.

Rainfall of up to 10-20mm could be expected to land in three to four hours, while some places could see 30-50mm over the day.

Forecasters added that this could lead to some surface water flooding and disruption to transport.

Thames Water spokesman Craig Rance said: "A sewer pipe in a field near Kidlington collapsed on Friday and we have been using tankers to deal with the water.

"Heavy rain overnight caused the pipe to overflow and we have extra tankers on the way to help.

"Once the bad weather has passed we will begin repairing the broken sewer. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused."