There's no place like home for elderly residents back in their Oxford flats five months after being flooded out by a burst water main.

Twenty-two homes were evacuated after thousands of gallons of water flooded Knights House, in Risinghurst, on April 17.

Residents were moved from the sheltered accommodation in Harold White Close to hotels, nursing homes or relatives' homes as the clear-up got under way.

Now, almost six months on, 14 of the Oxford City Council tenants are back in their newly-renovated, one-bedroom flats.

Seven residents decided not to return and were rehoused elsewhere, and one resident has since died.

Residents celebrating at a party yesterday said they were glad to be home, but some were fearful their homes could once again be submerged. Marjorie Dick, 92, who spent four months in Headington's Townsend House nursing home, said: "When it happened, I thought 'Oh no, not again'.

"I've been here 11 years and it's happened three times. But I'm really happy to be back -- there's no place like home."

The latest flood happened after a water main linking Shotover reservoir to Marston burst. Tests found the pipe was corroded and could no longer stand high pressure. It has since been repaired and the water pressure turned down.

Thames Water hopes to start work to replace a 500m stretch of the pipe by the end of the year.

A flood barrier was fitted at the entrance to Knights House after a flood in 2002, but it was locked open when the flood struck, due to fears of vandalism. Oxford City Council was criticised for not doing enough to ensure the barrier could be shut if necessary, but said it would have been ineffective even if it had been used, because of the amount of water.

Housing manager Martin Mumford yesterday assured the residents that they would be protected from floods in future.

Carpets and curtains have been replaced and new kitchens have been fitted in 14 flats.

Dorothy Barson, 81, lost her furniture in the flood, but said: "It looks lovely now. I hope we won't have to go through this again."

Mr Mumford added: "I thank residents from the bottom of my heart. They've been through so much, and the least we could do was restore their homes to the highest standard."

At 97, Beatrice Brown has "seen it all" and is not easily shocked.

But she could not believe her eyes when water started to flood her flat at Knights House.

Mrs Brown, Knights House's oldest resident, said: "I thought I'd seen it all, but this was unbelievable. I was still settling in after moving in the year before, and I couldn't believe it.

"Water started trickling through my patio door and then the wardens started getting people out. It was all a bit of a whirlwind."

Mrs Brown said she was lucky none of her furniture was damaged in the flood, but her curtains and carpet were ruined.

She said: "The good thing is that we were given the chance to choose paint colours, and carpets and curtains, so my flat is just as I wanted it.

"I did suggest they build a swimming pool outside, what with all the flooding -- but that didn't go down very well."