Tesco Extra in Abingdon has reopened today after being forced to close due to serious flooding.

The supermarket - one of the chain's largest - was unable to open on Sunday after flood water from the River Ock deluged the car park and since then staff have been getting the store ready to reopen.

Staff were alerted during the night on Saturday to the flooded out car park following the flood alert for the River Ock, from Watchfield to Abingdon, and also for Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney.

READ AGAIN: Tesco Extra is closed due to flooding 

This morning a spokesman for Tesco said: "The store has reopened this morning as planned."

Oxford Mail:

A Tesco spokesperson said earlier: “We are really sorry for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of our Abingdon Extra store.

"This is due to the nearby river. The store is currently closed while we work with our maintenance team to ensure the store is safe for colleagues and customers.

The flooding also closed the petrol station next to the store. The petrol station has also now reopened.

Click and collect services were also affected as drivers were unable to get out of the car park.

Oxford Mail:

Photo: James Davis

An aerial photo showed the store completely surrounded by water and some residents have questioned why the Tesco Extra store was built on a flood plain.

A new Premier Inn is being built next to the Tesco supermarket and is expected to open later this year.

Flood water came close to the hotel, which is still being built.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF