WEST Oxfordshire residents breathed a sigh of belief yesterday as it was announced the worst of the flooding was over.

The level of the River Windrush in Witney had fallen from its peak of 1.97m on Monday to 1.88m yesterday morning. But a flood warning was still in place last night.

About a dozen homes were evacuated in Riverside Gardens, Witney, on Monday morning – but residents were later allowed to return home. One property in Grangers Place, off Bridge Street, was flooded.

Environment Agency spokesman Michelle Southby said: β€œThe Windrush and the Evenlode remain high but are now stabilising. The worst does appear to be over.”