OXFORD City Council staff are keeping an eye on water levels along the River Thames tonight after a flood warning for the city was issued earlier.

And the city and county councils are preparing to set up sand dumps and issue sandbags if necessary tomorrow.

The warning, issued by the Environment Agency, covers the Thames and its tributaries in Botley, West Oxford, Osney, New Hinksey, North Hinksey and Grandpont.

A flood barrier has been set up at Bullstake Close, off Botley Road, by the city council.

Bethan Morgan, the county council’s emergency planning officer, said: “We are publicising these warnings now so that people have as much time as possible to prepare.

"The main advice at the moment is for anyone in the affected areas to monitor the Environment Agency website and to take steps now to protect property.

“There is potential for flooding to cause power cuts. To prepare for this we recommend that people visit 365alive for fire safety information.”

As well as online information, advice on flooding is available by calling the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188.