PRIVATE owners in West Oxfordshire are being asked to keep their ditches, brooks and streams clear to reduce the risk of flooding.

It comes as the district council’s annual ditch clearing has been completed as part of its flood defence work.

Council contractors have cleared more than 3,000 metres of ditches across the district.

The work included removing fallen trees, branches and other vegetation as well as cutting back overgrown brambles which can block streams.

Cabinet member for environment David Harvey said: “Ditch clearing helps safeguard communities from avoidable flooding and makes a big difference to local wildlife.

“As well as clearing ditches we are responsible for, we also work to monitor ditches on privately owned land and if necessary send landowners a letter reminding them to keep them clear.”

The district council secured a total of £700,000 funding for the work from the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

It enabled the work to be carried out at 15 locations including Bampton, Burwell Meadow in Witney and Shipton-under-Wychwood.

The district council has also funded flood prevention work at Madley Brook, Witney, and has put in a bid for £235,000 to cover the cost of planned work in Minster Lovell, Shilton and Curbridge.