THE scenes of devastation across Scotland and northern England caused by flooding have been hard to watch for many. Especially those closer to home who have suffered the effects of severe weather not so long ago.

Thankfully in Oxfordshire it has been a while since we have experienced serious flooding, but with such changeable weather many have been nervous about its return.

Recently the discussions about the much-awaited flood alleviation channel have surfaced again with the debate about how it will be managed and maintained.

But we all know it’s a very long way off being a concrete plan and won’t do much to comfort those worried about being flooded now, or even in years to come.

What we have seen elsewhere this Christmas is real community spirit – everyone pulling together to do what they can to help those affected. We saw the same in Oxfordshire two years ago.

Let us hope it doesn’t come to that here and we will all breathe a sigh of relief.

But we must take necessary precautions and the authorities must continue to offer the help that residents, businesses and communities need for every protection possible.