From sandbags that inflate in water to a house alarm system which warns you when water levels start to rise, a fair yesterday claimed to provide the solution to every kind of flooding problem.

Held in the King's Centre, on Oxford's Osney Mead Industrial Estate, stalls offering an array of flood walls, air bricks and portable barriers attracted scores of Oxfordshire residents anxious to ensure they were prepared for the worst, following this summer's serious flooding.

Alan and Lyn Dines' home, in Hermitage Road, Abingdon, was one of those flooded during the summer. They were planning to buy a £2,500 flood wall from the Floodwall International stand.

Mrs Dines said: "We need to have a flood system in place to give us a sense of security.

"When it happened in the summer, we had nothing because there wasn't enough warning.

"It's not something we want to spend money on but I think you just have to shell out - there's no choice really."

However, Andy Webber, of Earl Street, Oxford, found nothing suitable for his particular problem - ground water.

He said: "I haven't found the fair particularly useful because most of this just deals with surface water.

"What we want is for central government to fund the Environment Agency and get them to put in proper flood defences."

The event was organised by the Osney Island Residents' Association.

Chairman Richard Thurston said: "In the absence of any action from the city or county councils, we thought there was a need for people to protect themselves. There are some fantastic products on offer and I've found it really useful talking to the experts about how we can prevent flooding in the community. We really think this should be a priority."