Rivers placed on flood watch

9:00am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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Fears of flooding have been raised again today as the Environment Agency placed several rivers in the county on flood watch.

The Met Office has warned there is a 60 per cent chance of severe or extreme weather hitting Oxfordshire today, with 25 to 30mm of rain expected to fall widely, with up to 50mm in places.

Flood watches have been issued on the Rivers Evenlode, Ock, Thame, Windrush and Cole.

Residents living on the boundary with Gloucestershire will also be at risk, as a flood watch has also been issued on the River Thames from Cirencester to St John's Lock at Lechlade.

A Met Office spokesman said: "It's going to be faily heavy and prolonged rain throughout the day, falling on what is already saturated ground.

"It should ease off at around 8pm, but people in Oxfordshire can expect a fairly wet and soggy day."

A flood watch means flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected.