Residents in many parts of Oxfordshire are being urged to keep an eye on Environment Agency flood watches following heavy rain.

Oxfordshire has, so far, avoided serious flooding problems which have hit other areas of the country, including Sheffield and Hull.

But this morning, flood watches remained in place across the county for parts of the River Thames, Evenlode, Ock, Thame and Windrush.

The areas affected are: River Thames from Sandford Lock, Sandford-on-Thames to Day's Lock, Little Wittenham.

The River Evenlode, from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cassington, and its tributaries; River Ock, from Little Coxwell to Abingdon, and its tributaries.

The River Thame, from Long Marston to Dorchester, the Bear brook , the Chalgrove brook and their tributaries and River Windrush, from Bourton-on-the-Water to Newbridge, and its tributaries.

A Flood Watch, which are monitored regularly by the Environment Agency, means flooding is expected on low lying land and roads.

However, there are not yet any - more serious - flood warnings in place across the county.

In Rotheram, about 250 people have been evacuated from their homes because of fears that a dam could burst.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council urged residents living near Ulley Dam in South Yorkshire to leave their houses after an expert warned there was a "significant risk" the dam walls could fail after abnormally heavy rain.

They were taken by bus to a temporary evacuation centre set up at Dinnington Comprehensive School.

For more details log on at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call floodline on 0845 988 1188.