People living next to the River Thames are protesting against plans for more gravel digging in their area because of worries about flooding.

Homes at Thameside Court at Bablockhythe, near Stanton Harcourt, have been threatened by rising water levels in the past two years.

In January, several residents in wheelchairs were unable to leave their homes as water lapped at their doorsteps. Some had electricity supplies cut off.

Resident Eve Bendal has started a petition against plans by aggregate company Hanson to dig sand and gravel from Wade Land, at Lower Farm, Northmoor. Forty people have signed.

She said: "There is just too much water for the ditches and river to cope with. The majority of us here are retired and some are in wheelchairs. We don't want to live in permanent fear of our homes being flooded."

Hanson said the site had up to 90,000 tonnes of reserves of gravel and sand, and described the planned expansion as "a small extension" to existing operations at Watkins Farm.

The company said it could be restored within a year.

Oxfordshire County Council is to consider the Hanson application at its planning committee meeting on June 30. West Oxfordshire District Council has already voiced reservations.

It is asking for strict conditions on hours of working because of noise disturbance and has pointed out that the site is just 80 metres from the nearest house at Elms Farm, in West End. "Buffer zones" are supposed to be a minimum of100 metres.

David Ireland, of Elms Farm, said it should be stopped because of "an inadequate drainage system" and has asked the Environment Agency to investigate flood defences for the area.