IT started as a small leak from the road but quickly threatened to destroy the entire ground floor of the Keys’ home in Abingdon Road, Drayton.

Owners Janet and Cliff Keys said despite calls to Thames Water on Sunday, July 21, it took several hours for the water company to act.

Firefighters were eventually called to pump water out after it covered their drive.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said the road was covered in three to six inches of water.

Speaking yesterday Mrs Keys said: “We do suffer from flooding each time it rains, but this was something else.

“Thames Water talk about tackling leakage but couldn’t seem to sort this out.

“The fire brigade and our neighbours were really good but we couldn’t seem to get it through to Thames Water how bad it was.

“It was lapping at the door. Absolutely gallons of the stuff.

“We pay our rates and try to save money, but when you see something like that and they are so slow to act, you think, ‘Why bother?’ “Our neighbours do have meters installed but there is a worry that what if something like this happens again, who is billed for it?”

Thames Water apologised for the inconvenience.