DOWNPOURS caused drains to burst and localised flooding across Oxfordshire yesterday.

Flooding was reported in Oxford Road in Horspath, Gipsy Lane in Headington and Keble Road in Oxford.

North Hinksey resident Ian Beesley, who saw sewage overflowing in his fields, said: “It is disgusting. All our fields are covered.”

RAF Brize Norton saw 36mm of rain fall within 24 hours yesterday, while RAF Benson saw 33mph gusts of wind.

The River Evenlode between Moreton-in-Marsh and Cassington and the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock was put on a flood alert.

Thames Water was called out to 30 incidents across the city. Spokesman Natalie Slater said: “The heavy rain has caused an increase in water entering our sewer network, causing the number of blockages and flooding to double in the Oxford area.

“We have pulled in extra resources to help deal with this and our contractors have also been asked to call in additional staff.

“We are sorry for any disruption this is causing.”

“We are doing everything we can to deal with all incidents we are being called out to but we are very much at the mercy of the weather,” she added.

The ambulance and fire services were not called out to any weather-related incidents.

Met Office spokesman Charlie Powell said it would stay breezy with showers today but would settle down into the weekend.