Youngsters, particularly those branded hoodies, have long been the cause of concern and worries for the elderly.

However, when the recent floods struck help for pensioners - including ferrying in food and shoring up flood defences - came from an unexpected source.

Shah-Nawaz Khan, 17, Jack Hayle, 15 and his younger brother Sam, 13, spent hours helping people evacuate and sandbag properties in flood affected Botley.

And now they are being praised by the community for their tireless efforts as West Oxford struggled under the water.

Jack, who lives in Ferry Hinksey Road, said: "Not all teenagers want to hang around and cause trouble. We are always helping out around here and when the flooding started we wanted to do something."

Bridge Street resident Thomas Rijks said it was great to see younger members of the community helping out in their time of need.

He said: "It was fantastic that they came and helped us out and I would like to thank them for everything they did."

On the Sunday before the floods, the boys helped to sandbag homes on Osney Island, along the Botley Road and on Ferry Hinksey Road.

They were also helping to evacuate elderly people from Osney Court and took food to those that did not want to move.

By Tuesday they were helping to sandbag the river bank along East Street until midnight - only stopping when their parents told them to.

The next day they were up early again carrying sandbags from PC World to Helen Road and Henry Road.

Jack said: "We were taking sandbags to people that needed them and when Osney Court flooded we helped the elderly people living there to get out or took them stuff they needed."

Shah-Nawaz, who lives in Botley Road and attends the Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, admits the three friends became worried while they were helping residents.

He said: "It was alright at first when the waters were low, but as it got higher it did get a little scary."

Youngest of the three helpers, Sam, who with his brother attends Matthew Arnold School, said it was hard work carrying the heavy sandbags to people's homes, but is glad he helped out.

He said: "I feel happy because people have thanked me for what I've done."

Maggie Alderson, grandmother to Jack and Sam, said she was "incredibly proud" of what the three boys had done.

Osney Island Residents' Association chairman, Richard Thurston, said the boys were a "great credit to the local community".