Two 'floodwatch' warnings for parts of Oxfordshire were in force last night as the predicted heavy rain swept east across Britain.

After 48 hours of calm, cold and frosty weather, the unsettled stormy situation which governed much of last week returned with increasing strong gusts across the county.

The Environment Agency issued two warnings for the Thames area, but by last night these had not been upgraded to an imminent flood alert for the region.

A 'floodwatch' alert is issued when the flooding of low-lying land and roads can be expected.

The Environment Agency puts out the warning to families and motorists in the area to 'be aware, be prepared and watch out!' Two 'floodwatch' areas were last night giving concern.

The first, along the River Thames from St John's Lock in Lechlade, ten miles west of Faringdon, to Eynsham Lock just west of Oxford.

The other was from Eynsham through the city to the lock at Sandford-on-Thames, between Oxford and Abingdon.

But the Environment Agency flagged up an 'all clear' message for the area surrounding the River Cherwell north of Oxford.