FLOOD-hit villagers in South Hinksey have praised government efforts to protect their community in the future.

Regional Flood Minister Philip Hammond visited the village on Tuesday and was greeted by residents pleased with recent flood-prevention measures.

Construction of the £120m Oxford flood relief channel, to divert water from the Thames around the city, is due to start in 2018.

But in the meantime, Vale of White Horse District Council has offered £50,000 for works to build a flood barrier around the village.

Manor Road resident Libby Jukes saw her house surrounded by 20 inches of water three times in two months. She said: “We were surrounded by water as far as the eye could see. It’s such a force of nature and it’s realising there is nothing you can do about it.”

She was all but trapped in her home, and the house only escaped damage because the previous owner had spent tens of thousands of pounds on flood proofing.

But she said she was happy that the flood channel, and the temporary barriers, would protect the village.

She said: “People I trust like [Oxford Flood Alliance member and village resident] Peter Rawcliffe are convinced this is the way forward.

“The flood channel is a very long-term solution so in the meantime getting the temporary barriers is crucial.”

The council’s £50,000 will pay for groundworks to flatten surrounding fields, so volunteers could put up 300 metres temporary barriers around the village in an hour and a half should it flood.

Those works are due to begin in September.

The Vale made the offer after 15 of the village’s 80 homes were hit in last year’s floods.

Troops from the Royal Logistic Corps at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, were also called in to help install a 600-metre wall of concrete blocks to shield the village, but that was not a long-term solution.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Mr Hammond were among politicians to visit the village, and Mr Hammond and Oxford West and Abingdon Conservative party candidate Nicola Blackwood returned on Tuesday this week to catch up with people he met.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he refused to promise any funding to top up the £84m pledged for the Oxford flood relief channel so far.

But he did say enough funding was promised for construction to begin, and said he was confident that local councils could get the rest.

Villager Maggie Rawcliffe said she was not disappointed with the lack of promises.

She said: “I don’t think there is any more than can be done, and we are pleased with the interest the Government has shown.”

Linda and Jo Slater, aged 70 and 73 respectively, who live at the top of the village, said they just wanted the Government to make good on its promises.

Mr Slater said: “We want the promises that have been made to be kept.”