A HOMEOWNER in Ascott-under- Wychwood was watching waters lap at his driveway yesterday, despite not expecting floods to return for another century.

Jeremy Palin, 33, from Shipton Road, said: "I moved in after the floods in the summer. I was told it was the first time in 100 years, and I expected it would not happen again for another 100 years.

"The water is lapping at the edge of my driveway, but it is starting to go down now.

"I looked at it at 1am yesterday and it was a third of the way across the road, and by 7am it was in my driveway."

Mr Palin said the water had started to subside by midday, but added: "I am deeply concerned. If we are going to get a lot more rain it is unquestionably going to push the level higher.

"I have got tarpaulin against the doors. I had to collect sandbags from Witney because the ones at the village hall had all gone.

"There is not much you can do. If the water is going to come up to the levels it did last time, there is nothing you can do."

Shipton Road was closed for the whole of yesterday as floods took hold.

Other roads which shut after succumbing to the floods were the A361 to the Ascott-under-Wychwood rail crossing, Lower Street in Islip, Williamscot Road in Cropredy, Bloxham Road between Barford St Michael and Barford St John, Great Brook Road, near Chimney, the A417 between West Challow and Stanford in the Vale, the B4016 Drayton Road in Sutton Courtenay, Denchworth Road in West Hanney and Spring Lane in Playhatch.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA was called out after two dozen sheep were stranded yesterday morning near Grintley Hill Bridge in Combe.

The animals were left in water up to their stomachs after the River Evenlode burst its banks.

Two homes in White Cross, Abingdon, were flooded after debris blocked a nearby ditch.

The Highways Agency began clearing the ditch yesterday afternoon.

Cherwell District Council distributed sandbags to homes in Yarnton, Kidlington and Horley.

More rain is expected today.

A Met Office spokesman said up to 5mm of rain was expected today, with up to 10mm on both Friday and Saturday.