Oxford’s Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre is open to the public again following its use as a temporary flood refuge shelter.

It was set up as a safe haven on Monday as flood warnings were put in place, but it went on one-hour standby yesterday as river levels returned to normal.

A sole family used the refuge centre when they were briefly evacuated from a housing estate yesterday.

Battling the flood waters, Tony Surman embarked on an unusual rescue mission – to save his chickens.

With his wife Maureen and a friend, the 44-year-old, from Mattock Close, Headington, made his way to Cowmead Allotments in Abingdon Road.

Together they rescued 20 chickens which had become trapped in a small raised shed by the 1ft-deep water.

Mr Surman said: “I don’t think they like water much. They didn’t look very happy when we arrived.

“I think I’ll build another level on, so in future we won’t need to worry about this happening again.”

TWO schools that were shut due to flooding reopened yesterday.

St Ebbe’s Primary School, Whitehouse Road, Oxford, and North Hinksey Primary School, North Hinksey Lane, are back in business after being shut on Tuesday.

West Oxford Primary School, Ferry Hinksey Road, managed to avoid shutting yesterday after some consideration.

The AA said it has attended about 120 flood-related breakdowns in Oxfordshire since Thursday.

It has also helped about 15 cars driven through or stuck in floodwater.

It said it would usually attend less than half that number at this time of year.