A WEST Oxfordshire brook is being cleaned — 15 months after it played a key part in the July 2007 flooding of the village of Bampton.

The Environment Agency has started work to desilt Shill Brook, maintenance which it says will also benefit fish like brown trout, bullhead, and stickleback.

The first stage has involved the removal of overhanging branches to allow a 21-tonne excavator to get in and remove the silt.

The cleaning of Shill Brook came up as a priority in the wake of the floods, which saw more than 1,600 homes hit throughout West Oxfordshire. Each parish has been helping to draw up its own action plan, and there is a waiting list of work to be done.

Mathew Green, river maintenance specialist for the agency, said: "The brook had become badly silted, which meant that it could not run in its full capacity."

A large amount of wind blown trees and debris from Great Brook, starting at Buckland Road, has also been removed.

The work, increasing water flows, will also help drain the Shill Brook in high flows.

Mr Green added: "We felt this would reduce flood risk for the residents of Bampton and surrounding villages, although ultimately the responsibility for river maintenance lies with the riparian owners."

David Harvey, council cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are delighted to hear that this is being done, as it was one of the priorities of the Bampton flood action plan, drawn up by the district council.

"It is an example of agencies working in partnership to find a sustainable solution to climate change and associated risks."