UNINSURED single mum Kathleen Lamptey told how her home was devastated by the floods and sobbed: "I've lost everything."

Among her ruined belongings were a new fitted kitchen, carpets, furniture and toys for her three-year-old daughter Kenza.

Kathleen was among more than 350 people in Kidlington and Banbury forced to flee their homes after the River Cherwell burst its banks. Victims suffered up to three feet of water swamping their homes.

Kathleen, of Cherwell Avenue, Kidlington, faces a bill of thousands because she was uninsured. She said: "I am shattered. I do not know what I am going to do. You do not expect this sort of thing to happen - there was no warning whatsoever."

Kathleen's father, Chris Tinson, demanded a public meeting to assess the cause of the flood and what help victims will receive.

Mr Tinson, 60, of Wise Avenue, Kidlington, said: "We do not know why there was no notice that there was likely to be flooding. We hope a fund will be set up to help people like Kathleen. She is on benefit and there is no way she can afford to replace everything that has been lost."

Neighbours David and Debbie Charles said their Cherwell Avenue home filled with three feet of water in minutes.

The couple, who lost irreplaceable possessions including their wedding video, have been sleeping in a neighbour's camper van since Friday and are dreading allowing their two young children back into the house.

Debbie said: "The first thing I knew about it was seeing a fire engine. The next minute water was coming inside."

David added: "I have not slept in three days. The house is dirty and smelly. The children will be staying with their grandma."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.