A residential home for adults with learning difficulties has received £650 thanks to a new sewage scheme.

Staff at Thames Water Utilities and contractor Gleeson held collections to thank Stowford House in Shippon, near Abingdon, for its co-operation on a £1m flow diversion project.

They had to divert flows from Shippon pumping station to Abingdon sewage treatment works and their vehicles went acroos Stowford House land.

Construction engineer John Monaghan said: "During the works, close liaison with the staff at Stowford House was needed for the installation of a new gravity sewer and pumping main.

"During the work, members of staff and residents gave valuable assistance to the project. Without their co-operation the work would not have been completed on time."

The cash will go to the Friends of Stowford House charity, which will put it towards a new people-carrier bus. The manager of Stowford House, Patricia Selby, said: "There was very little disruption to our activities - in fact some of our residents took a keen interest in what was going on and the workers were very helpful. The donation of £650 is a wonderful gesture."

Stowford House is a county council-run home for 26 adults with learning difficulties who receive support in managing everyday life. Some live independently in three homes in the grounds.