A flood defence scheme is back on hold after the Environment Agency reduced a compensation package to a resident who had accepted its original offer.

Villagers in Kidlington had breathed a huge sigh of relief when the last householder accepted £2,000 to allow the flood barrier on his land.

But only hours after reluctantly signing the deal, the Environment Agency contacted him to say: "Sorry, we offered you too much by mistake."

The furious householder has now accused the agency of reneging on the agreement. The agency admitted it made "an administrative mistake" by offering to pay the Cherwell Avenue resident £2,000, plus "reasonable legal fees and says he shoud have been offered just 750.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "I consider my agreement null and void."

Although the 2ft-high barrier would only take up a metre of his land, he said equipment would have to criss-cross his garden during the building period.

He added he resented the pressure that had been put on his elderly mother by supporters of the flood scheme.

Project manager Phil Stephens said it was only offering £2,000 to people who would have flood barrier right across their gardens.

He said: "It's embarrassing. It is most unfortunate that this mistake has happened with the most difficult person we have negotiated with.

We will now have to review the situation."

Mr Stephens said he feared other villagers would have to have their compensation upped if the mistake was not corrected.

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