Travel hit by torrential rainfall

The village of Helmdon, near Banbury, was badly flooded

Parts of Oxfordshire have been badly hit by heavy rainfall.

Houses and roads were flooded, schools had to be shut, and about 1,000 homes were left without power. Didcot and West Oxfordshire were worst hit.

Many of the county's roads were at a standstill, with up to three-hour delays on the M40.

Rail travel between London and the West is disrupted because of flooding and First Great Western (FGW) is advising against travelling by train.

Many events taking place in Oxfordshire have had to be cancelled, including the annual Truckfest Music Festival at Steventon.

It's been a busy day for staff and we laid on additional crews to help cope with that Clive Baynes, from Cherwell District Council

The judging for the prestigious annual British Cheese Awards in Kingham, near Chipping Norton, was also hampered.

The marquee flooded, and more than 800 cheeses had to be salvaged.

Clive Baynes, from Cherwell District Council, said: "We've been dealing with the unfolding situation through the day as the rain has moved up through the district.

800 cheeses had to be salvaged at the British Cheese Awards

"Groups of houses have been affected throughout the district and we've been working throughout the day delivering sandbags to residents in affected areas.

"It's been a busy day for staff and we laid on additional crews to help cope with that."

He said an emergency telephone line had been opened and staff had volunteered to stay on during the evening.

Rail operator FGW said rail services between Oxford, London Paddington and Bristol had been severely disrupted or cancelled due to flash flooding.

In a statement on FGW's website it said Friday travel tickets would be valid for travel on Saturday.