HOMEOWNERS were last night bracing themselves as up to 20mm of rain was set to hit Oxfordshire again last night.

As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, experts have warned the county may face a third bout of serious flooding, with half the month’s rainfall expected this week.

Up to 30mm is forecast to fall across Oxfordshire by Friday.

Met Office spokesman Helen Chivers said between 10mm and 20mm was expected last night, but today should be sunny.

She said: “There should be less than 10mm overnight tonight, but it might fall in a short amount of time – perhaps only an hour.

“There might be a risk of flooding because the ground was very wet even before the snow.

“The River Thames takes a couple of days to rise.

“There may be a little more rain on Friday, but it might just miss Oxford to the south. Oxfordshire could catch some rain though. But Saturday looks dry once again.”

The Environment Agency last night had 12 flood alerts still in force for Oxfordshire which mean flooding is possible and residents should be prepared.

It has warned heavy rain may lead to a risk of property flooding.

Meanwhile, the start date for the next stage of a delayed flooding alleviation work near Kennington is to be decided next week.

Network Rail and Thames Water are to agree a timetable for the next phase of the £1m scheme at Hinksey Stream.

The Thames Water project, which includes a new surface sewer, began in October to ease flooding in South Hinksey, Osney, Binsey and Abingdon Road.

Network Rail said delays were due to land ownership problems.