JUST two days after Christmas most people would expect to be tucking into their Quality Street and snuggling up on the sofa.

Instead Oxford folk were yesterday filling sandbags, taking precious belongings upstairs and moving cars to higher ground.

It has been a rude wake-up call after a couple of days of festive cheer.

And this time there is a weary resignation that not only is Oxford facing this threat again; it is also facing it so soon after last time.

When the floodwater started to rise at the end of last month officials from the Environment Agency, county council, city council and fire service jumped into action.

And despite nearly a week of flooding on roads, fields, gardens and car parks, it was commendable that the various agencies’ quick-thinking stopped homes being damaged.

The now well-oiled machine is back in action and we are confident the authorities will do all they can over the coming days.

But we must also remember that everyone can do their bit. Motorists came under fire last time for ignoring road closed signs and worsening the flooding risk to residents with the wash they created. We all need to play our part.