HOMES in a south Oxfordshire village were flooded for the second time in ten days during this morning's torrential rain.

Residents in Nuneham Courtenay needed help from firefighters as flood waters filled their homes for the second time.

Paul Gillett, chairman of the parish council, said he believed that at least four homes had been flooded for a second time, but it was difficult to assess the damage in the darkness during the early hours. There are no street lights in the village.

Resident Emma Badley said she was woken by heavy rain at 3am and added: "Every time we hear the weather forecast we are feeling very nervous. We need emergency action now. In 10 days we have not heard anything."

The A4074 through the village was closed as firefighters pumped out the flood water. Blocked drains are thought to have caused the flooding.

Mr Gillett said: "The middle of the road is like a small river. The emergency services are trying to make the homes that have not yet been flooded the priority."

Homes were also flooded in Appleford Drive and Chilton Close in Abingdon, and in Didcot.

The rain flooded many roads across the county, making the drive to work for many motorists hazardous.

One motorcyclist fell off his bike on the A4183 entry slip road to the A34 at Lodge Hill, Abingdon, and the A40 at Cassington was also flooded, together with the Osney Mead industrial estate in Oxford, and parts of Sutton Courtenay.

Cars also broke down as water covered the road between Woodeaton Road and Marston Road in Oxford.

Police dealt with an accident on the M40 between junctions 10 at Ardley and 11 at Banbury.