VILLAGERS in Ascott-under-Wychwood celebrated the community spirit that pulled them through last July's floods with strawberries and cream - and cold beer - at the weekend.

The village, where more than 40 homes were swamped in the floods, has also published the first draft of an emergency flood plan should disaster strike again.

Fete organiser and flood victim Debra Cull said Saturday's celebrations were an important diary date.

She said: "The summer fete is the big event of the year in the village and everyone had a great time. It was the first real time we have all got together since last July.

"We weren't one of the worst hit - we only had about 3in, minimal compared to some people.

"But when you are flooded, you are flooded. We all pulled together last July."

Parish council chairman Stuart Fox said the draft emergency plan had been sent to every resident.

He said a great deal of work had been done but time was of the essence - last Tuesday's rainfall left four homes flooded and once again blocked off the two roads into the village.

He said: "We are very fearful we could experience the kind of flooding that happened last July again.

"The devastation was incredible and it all happened so quickly.

"Last summer, we learned that the emergency services can find it very difficult to get into the village, particularly if there's flooding in other places.

"We need to be able to work together as a village and the plan seeks to put together an emergency response for people to deal with a major incident."

The emergency plan has established early warning communication links with the authorities and other places along the River Evenlode.

It lists refuge points in the village, as well as contact numbers of both the authorities and local volunteers.

The parish council has also invested in waders, torches and a permanent sandbag stockpile, based at Tiddy Hall.

Mr Fox said he was optimistic the plan would be finalised in the coming months and that the village would be in a better position were there to be another devastating flood.

But he added: "There is a lot of work still to be done on the plan and we need volunteers to come forward, especially people with expertise and equipment."