OXFORDSHIRE was braced for more flooding yesterday as 12 waterways were placed on alert.

Up to 40mm of rain is predicted to fall on Oxford alone over the next two days.

Environment Agency teams took precautionary action yesterday clearing grilles and obstructions from rivers.

It issued the majority of the alerts in one swoop at 5.20pm as downpours lashed down.

The Ginge Brook, for the Steventon area down to and including Sutton Courtenay, the River Evenlode, the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock, the River Windrush from Bourton to Newbridge, the Sor Brook and The Bloxham Brook and their tributaries, the Langford and Wendlebury brooks and their tributaries from Stratton Audley down to the M40 near Merton, the River Ray, River Cherwell, and the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook were all last night on flood alert, which means residents should be prepared.

Environment Agency spokesman Dave Ferguson said it was monitoring the situation closely.

He said: “We are watching the river levels closely and have teams out working in Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“We will issue necessary alerts in due time and advise the public to keep aware. Our teams are preparing for flooding.”