VILLAGERS were angered by Oxford University failing to attend a meeting about flooding.

More than 100 residents of Wolvercote, many who were inundated in July, packed a special meeting, But the university, a major landowner in the area, was not represented and became the target of frustration and anger.

Residents in Home Close, near the university-owned paper mill site, felt a lack of ditch and drainage maintenance on that land worsened flooding in the area.

As the waters rose, a lagoon on the site over-flowed into neighbouring properties. Residents said the university took too long to react. And when they heard the university was not represented at the meeting, they were furious.

Tom Childs, of Home Close, said: "The university turned up three days after the flooding began and they didn't do anything until the fourth day. They are not taking it seriously by not being here tonight."

Rob Knight, of Webbs Close, said: "It's added insult to injury."

He questioned whether maintenance locally had added to the flooding. He said: "That's why people are so upset. They could not even be bothered to come."

The university wants to build 200 new homes on the mill site, but Mr Knight added: "Unless they provide decent drainage, why the hell should Wolvercote agree to their plans?"

Oxford City Council officers said the university had been informed of the meeting and had issued a statement.

In it, university land agent Tim Del Nevo said: "The recent incident was caused because the height of the river caused a short length of lagoon bank to be over-topped. It was fortunate that the university had men and equipment close by so that the bank could be reinforced both in terms of width and height."

As the statement was read to the meeting, householders jeered with derision.

During the meeting, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, city and county councils gave presentations on their roles in preventing flooding Resident Chris Gowers said villagers should draw up their own emergency flood plan. He said: "We've no agreed evacuation plan. There's no complaint about the emergency services but there was a lot we could have done to help ourselves.

"An area in Upper Wolvercote could be used as a sandbag station when it happens again, and it will."

"We need local flood wardens who are well informed and well trained who can answer the needs of householders straight away."

A university spokesman said it met the Wolvercote Commoners committee in July straight after the flooding, but that the university had little to add to the debate at this stage so felt it was unnecessary to attend the meeting.