Extra cash for flood-hit district

Thousands of properties were flooded during the summer

People affected by the July floods in west Oxfordshire are to benefit from a government grant of more than £60,000 towards the clean-up.

The district council will receive £64,621 to cover the cost it incurred tackling the aftermath of the disaster.

The news follows a recent Environment Agency flood warning for the River Thames through Oxford, which was badly hit by last summer's floods.

The announcement was made by the floods recovery minister John Healey MP.

The flood waters are long gone but the clear up and repair problems for many households and businesses have not John Healey Floods recovery minister

He said: "This summer saw the worst flooding in Britain for over a century causing widespread damage and misery for thousands of people.

"As floods recovery minister, I have made many visits to flood-damaged areas and seen for myself the tremendous efforts of councils and other agencies in helping their communities get back to normal.

"But clearly this comes at a cost. That is why, given the extraordinary nature of these floods, we made it easier for councils to claim back additional costs from the government.

"To ensure money reached councils as quickly as possible we also said we are ready to make interim payments.

"The flood waters are long gone but the clear up and repair problems for many households and businesses have not."