19 March 2013 Last updated at 06:17 ET

Vale of White Horse flood prevention grants awarded

Seven groups in Oxfordshire have been awarded a total of £6,600 towards flood prevention schemes.

The groups in the Vale of White Horse district, including in Appleton and Longcot, each received grants between £500 and £1,100 from the council.

They will be used to fund projects, including land drainage ditches in Longcot, and equipment.

Flood groups were set up in the county following severe floods in July 2007 which damaged about 1,600 homes.

The other flood groups which have received grants are: Abingdon Ock Valley, Abingdon St Helens Mill, Grove Green, Hanneys and Sunningwell.

Councillor Matthew Barber, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said the grants would help to ensure "new and better systems of prevention can be put in place".

He said the authority was working with the Environment Agency and continuing to provide support to other flood hit communities across the district.