Families in west Oxford have given a welcome thumbs-up to new flood-beating pumps which proved their worth during the torrential rainstorms of the past week.

The new pumps were installed in the New Year, following joint funding between Oxford City Council and the Environment Agency, to offer relief to residents in streets on the south side of Botley Road, who have suffered the consequences of a series of wet winters.

Last winter's dry conditions gave them a rare respite from the rising waters which ruin furniture and fill gardens with sewage.

The worst conditions were experienced during the New Year periods of 2001 and 2003 when scores of homes were flooded.

The two electric pumps, funded by the city's central, south and west area committees' budget, are installed in a well below ground at the end of Earl Street.

They automatically switch on when rising water reaches a pre-set level, forcing it to drain away through three new gullies in Earl Street, and the path between Earl Street and neighbouring Duke Street.

As part of a series of flood prevention measures, the city council has also laid a new filter drain along the path to help control high water in times of flooding.

The decision to install the pumps and filter drain was taken after public meetings organised by residents and the council.

Following the heavy storms of Tuesday and Thursday this week, which many people claimed to be the worst in living memory, Botley Road residents expected the worst -- but breathed a sigh of relief when the pumps whirred into action as promised.

Susanna Pressel, the Labour councillor for Jericho and Osney ward, said: "We have been very relieved to find that the pump does work.

"During the two recent amazing cloudbursts, when the storm drains couldn't cope with the sudden downpour, people could hear a gentle humming sound coming from the underground pump as it kicked in and helped disperse the water into a nearby stream.

"I hope this will help residents to feel less anxious during the coming winter."