The prospect of flood defences being built close to where teenager Max Sullivan-Webb drowned has moved a step closer after a study was fast tracked.

A scheme to catch flood water in ponds is seen as the best solution to avoiding a repeat of an incident in which 17-year-old Max drowned in Witney last week.

His death followed a day of torrential rain.

Instead of preliminary work taking at least a year to progress, the Environment Agency last night pledged to complete it within four months.

Campaigners welcomed the move - but warned every moment of delay could lead to another tragedy at the brook near Eastfield Road.

Former Wood Green School pupil Max, 17, who was also known as Max Weeden, died when he became trapped in a culvert while playing in floodwater with two pals.

His friends tried to release him but he is believed to have drowned after spending at least ten minutes in the water.

In a cruel twist of fate, the Environment Agency had started the feasibility study into how best to divert floodwater away from the area the day before Max died.

The study was due to take at least a year to complete, but last night Geoff Bell, the Environment Agency's area flood risk manager, promised to divert resources to ensure the study was completed within three to four months.

Mr Bell said: "We are putting the resources in to do it quicker - this is a priority for us. We recognise the feelings of the community."

Holly Hughes, 19, a childhood pal of Max, said children had been playing in the area when it was flooded for at least a decade.

She said: "Something should have been done about these floods years ago.

"It is just a shame that Max died and now attention has been brought to the matter."

District councillor Richard Langridge, from nearby Hoyle Close, said: "Every month that goes by, there is a chance of more flooding and the chance there could be a recurrence of this sort of tragedy."

The feasibility study is expected to cost about £30,000, but even if it proved positive, there is no projected timeline for the ponds to be created.