Hi-tech putty holds the key to preventing widespread flooding in Oxfordshire.

County council emergency planners have purchased an innovative new product that is designed to reduce damage during periods of flooding.

Flood Sentry is a flexible waterproof substance that can be stuck to air bricks during a flood alert. It stops water getting into houses through the air vents and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

John Farrow, Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for community safety, said: "The council already holds a reserve stock of some 15,000 sandbags, but Flood Sentry seems an easy way of helping householders before any flooding."

Hydrologists in Wallingford who tested the device claim it is more effective against flooding than traditional sandbags.

About 500 devices have been bought from a company based in Beckenham, Kent.

Last week the city council purchased a £14,000 mobile flood pump that can be wheeled out to any part of the city in an emergency.

John Kelly, the county's emergency planning officer, said: "We are always looking at cost-effective ways of helping householders secure their property before flooding and helping them stay at home with their families, pets and possessions, rather than evacuating them to a rest centre.

"It's basically a large piece of Blu-Tack -- the idea is to stick it over the air vents before flooding and it stops water coming in. It's had very good reports.

"In 2003 we had some heavy flooding and the county and district councils agreed to do much more to prevent it.

"We will still have sandbags and it will not stop flooding in Botley Road. I want to stress we are not doing this to frighten people about flooding over Christmas -- this is all part of our contingency plan."