A torrential downpour took villagers by surprise and damaged homes with several feet of floodwater. Residents in Piddington, near Bicester, battled to save their belongings as heavy rain hammered down on Friday afternoon.

Heavy rain rolled off nearby hills into the village and caused a brook to swell.

A torrent of floodwater gushed through the village, making roads impassable and leaving families stranded.

But just hours later, the water disappeared almost as quickly as it had come, and villagers began the clear-up.

Seven houses were reported to have been flooded, including the home of the Bayliss family, who had 8in of water in their home in Thame Road.

Maranda Bayliss said: "It started with a crash of thunder and lightning bolt and with that it just started to rain. Twenty minutes later we knew we were in trouble. Water flooded every room on the ground floor.

"We just tried to get what we could upstairs, the electrical stuff and my daughter's artwork. It's going to cost a lot. Everything is going to have to be re-done."

Mrs Bayliss said she and her husband David, and children Gina 19, and Jamie, 16, would be forced to move into emergency accommodation until their home had dried out.

Neighbours Ray and Tricia Bignell of Thame Road, rushed to help the Bayliss family move their belongings to safety.

Mr Bignell said: "It was a horrendous storm. Water was roaring down the road and the current was so strong.

“If you had slipped, you would have been swept away, it was that powerful," he added.

Bruce and Lucy Podmore and their children Ella, 12, Miles, 11, and Lucas, nine, had 1ft of water enter their home.

She said: "We got hammered. It has caused us a lot of problems. I don't think there will be much change from £100,000 for repairs."

Louise Brooker, 34, of Thame Road, had an inch of water in her dining room.

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials were cancelled at the weekend following heavy rain.

The event, which features dressage, cross country and show jumping, attracts thousands of spectators every year.

Director Mandy Hervieu said: "The safety of horses and riders is of paramount importance and it was decided that the ground conditions could not ensure this."

The organisers said all Saturday and Sunday tickets would be refunded, and urged people to be patient.