A FLOOD alert has been issued for the River Cherwell, which is expected to burst its banks and spill into the floodplain today. 

The Environment Agency has said river levels have risen after the recent rainfall.

They took the flood alert off the river on December 27 but reissued the alert this morning. 

The alert is for the River Cherwell and its tributaries from Charwelton to just above Upper Heyford including Woodford Halse, Edgcote, Cropredy, Marston St Lawrence, Banbury, Kings Sutton and Hook Norton.

The EA has said levels will continue to rise but homes are not expected to be flooded.

The A417 at West Challow is also closed this morning between Wantage and Faringdon. 

Police have confirmed the road is shut between Silver Lane and the B4001 at New Road even though the signs have been knocked down.