Road flooding in Oxfordshire could be drastically cut if the county council cleaned out its culverts and ditches, it is claimed.

Chinnor farmer Derek Nixey spoke out after the road between Thame and Chinnor flooded in recent heavy rain.

He said: "I have not known that stretch of road between Sydenham and Towersey flood before.

"It could have been prevented if Oxfordshire County Council had done its job and dealt with its ditches and culverts alongside and under the roadway. Farmers have to play their part in keeping watercourses open the county council should do so, too."

He added: "We have never seen road flooding across the county like we have this year.

Mr Nixey, a former chairman of Chinnor Parish Council, is an Independent member of South Oxfordshire District Council.

No-one at the county highways department would comment on Mr Nixey's views.