Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service received 2,000 calls for assistance during last summer's floods, an official report has revealed.

The report, by the Government's chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, said 1,200 calls were logged on Friday, July 20, when torrential rain fell over much of southern England.

Calls poured in over the following weekend, as swollen rivers burst their banks, blocking roads and inundating homes and businesses. By Monday, July 23, six extra phone lines had to be connected to cope with the demand.

Sir Ken said fire services were hampered in some parts of the country by problems dealing with the volume of calls for help.

Control room staff under the guidance of Oxfordshire's Chief Fire Officer, John Parry, worked "tirelessly" to answer 999 calls as fast as possible, but the system became overloaded, the report said.

The Facing The Challenge review said about 3,000 homes in Oxfordshire were affected by flooding or their residents were forced to leave because of a loss of electricity or other safety reasons.

Last year's floods were one of the biggest emergencies in the history of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which spent £287,000 dealing with the situation, including £189,000 on overtime pay.

Floods recovery minister John Healey said fire services met the challenge of the floods with "bravery and dedication". He said he welcomed the recommendations made by Sir Ken and his support for changes already under way.

But the Conservatives raised concerns about recommendations to put people on hold with an automated response, which they said could cause great distress.