THOUSANDS of keep-fit enthusiasts in Banbury are facing a three-month lay-off after flooding devastated their sports centre, causing an estimated £1m worth of damage.

The Spiceball Park Sports Centre is now closed until further notice, after the ground floor of the complex was covered by 3ft of water, which flowed in from the nearby Oxford Canal.

The swimming pool, squash courts, sports hall and changing areas were all flood-damaged and staff who are drying out the centre have been told to wear gloves, because of fears that raw sewage has flowed into the building.

Maintenance manager Perry McClellan, 36, said: "It's soul-destroying to see the centre in this state. All the staff will pull out all the stops to make sure we can open again as soon as possible."

The Mill Theatre in Banbury also suffered when the area flooded last Thursday. Damage to the sprung floor, seating, heating, cellar and furnishings is estimated at £500,000.

Cast members have been forced to cancel their forthcoming production of Vanbrugh's The Relapse, and heating equipment is being used to dry out the building. Meanwhile, residents living in Banbury's West Street and Victoria Place complained that rats were washed up from a ditch behind their homes, while those flooded out in Cherwell Avenue, Kidlington, say looters have begun to target their properties by stealing goods left out to dry.

Flooded-out Kidlington residents say they have also started to develop stomach complaints and fear this is due to water being contaminated with sewage.

Cherwell Avenue resident Brian Tippett, 34, who lives with wife Yvette, 34, daughter Kimberley, 11, and son Michael, nine, said: "Everyone round here is suffering from upset stomachs and it could be the water." Fund offers aid to needy A FUND has been set up to help families in Banbury and Kidlington who are not properly insured against flood damage.

The fund, which is being co-ordinated by Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, has been launched with donations of £5,000 from each authority.

The Borough of Banbury Trust has also contributed £1,000 and so has Banbury Homes.

Grahame Handley, chief executive of Cherwell District Council, said: "There are between two and three dozen families that we know about in Banbury and Kidlington who are in urgent need of help.

"The money is to help them replace basic furniture and essentials - some people in bungalows have lost everything. Those affected are being contacted directly by our housing department."

Cherwell District Council is approaching charities and other organisations in the area to boost the fund.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can contact the CVS Volunteer Bureau on 01295 279515 or Cherwell Rotary Club on 01295 269066.

Oxfordshire Red Cross is also offering flooded-out families furniture. Spokesman Martin Gilman said: "We have also got clothes and toys. Anyone who needs help can contact us on 01865 557377."

Environmental health bosses at Cherwell District Council have linked up with Thames Water to take water samples but have found no trace of contamination. A helpline has been set up.

Eileen Edwards, head of environmental health, said: "We have visited homes and given them general hygiene advice and advice about taking care in case there has been sewage or dirty water."

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