Workmen have made safe a tall poplar tree which had fallen over in Hales Meadow on the banks of the Thames in Abingdon, blocking the footpath.

The water table of the river has been rising steadily in recent months and the meadow - a popular walking spot - has been flooded. The tree's root system had been weakened by the high water table and this and high winds combined to bring the tree down. The top part of the tree crashed into the river causing a hazard to passing craft.

But workmen have now cleared the footpath of debris, cutting up and burning some wood and the branches in the river have been made safe. The Environment Agency is liaising with the contractors.

Parks manager for the Vale of White Horse District Council Ian Matton said the principal objective was to clear the footpath and make the area safe for walkers and river craft.

"That's now been done. A lot more work needs to be carried out on branches and the main trunk but we will have to wait until conditions improve there."