A 250,000 flood defence scheme to protect hundreds of homes in Kidlington is being put in jeopardy by a handful of householders who are refusing to allow the barrier to cross their gardens.

As villagers were being handed sandbags after warnings that the River Cherwell was about to break its banks, it emerged that Kidlington's flood barrier scheme was itself now under threat.

Fewer than ten residents do not want the barrier on their land, even though it would be little over 2ft high and landscaped.

Prolonged negotiations and the offer of compensation have failed to end the impasse.

Despite this week's flood warnings, the Environment Agency fears it may be forced to go through the long, drawn-out process of securing compulsory purchase orders.

With many other parts of the country demanding flood protection schemes, the on-going talks could see Kidlington losing its priority place in the queue.

David Barnard, 72, of Cherwell Avenue, who suffered 22,000 damage in the devastating 1998 floods, said: "We all want this scheme to go ahead but apparently a handful of people are objecting. I despair.

"It completely escapes me how these people can morally justify putting so many others at risk. It's a selfish attitude.

"They would be compensated for allowing the barrier to be built. If they don't agree soon it could be delayed for another year. By then that cash may be gone.

"I feel the majority of residents here are being held to ransom."

The Environment Agency wants to begin building the barrier consisting of a low brick wall, earth embank- ments and circular valves fitted to drainage pipes early in the New Year.

The clerk of Gosford and Water Eaton Parish Council, Carl Smith, said: "It is in everybody's interest to get the job done. Everything is in place and ready to go. Some of the people involved are not convinced the barrier will work, others are arguing about compensation or saying they are having to put up with more than others.

"I hope everything that has happened this week will convince people these flood defences are needed and needed now. Delays could jeopardise the whole scheme. You just cannot build a defence wall and then have gaps."

EA flood defence manager Craig Woolhouse said: "We are in discussion with a number of people. If we have to go ahead with compulsory purchase orders, it will take even more time before we can start work."

Kidlington county councillor Dave Green said: "The forecast is so awful, all we can do is pray and hope the water does not come over again.

"The EA must really take this week as a warning that this does not just happen every 100 years."

Cherwell council and EA staff helped householders in Cherwell Avenue and Queen's Avenue to sandbag their homes and move furniture on Tuesday.

In Wallingford, the Mill House riverside pub was hit and the Boots store in Market Place was forced to shut on Monday. The Spiceball Sports Centre, Banbury, also closed.

Emergency services worked around the clock to clear roads and more than 250 homes in rural areas were left without power.

Among the worst-affected areas were villages around Wantage. Broken power lines caused chaos at West Hendred, while a dozen Oxfordshire schools were closed, mainly because of heating failures. More rain was forecast for the weekend.