HEAVY rain will continue to fall this afternoon as the county faces another deluge of downpours.

The torrential rain is expected to last until 9pm, which could see up to 20mm of rain fall in Oxfordshire.

A flood alert is in place at the River Cherwell and its tributaries from Lower Heyford down to Oxford including Rousham, Enslow, Thrupp and Hampton Poyle.

Further rainfall may cause the river to spill into the floodplain, but no property flooding is currently expected.

The Environment Agency is advising communities to stay vigilant. Spokesman Julia Simpson said: “We are monitoring the situation very closely as river levels across the South East remain high and responsive, and standing water remains in some flood plains.

“Environment Agency teams have been on the ground around the clock operating pumping stations, issuing flood warnings and checking that flood banks, walls and barriers are working effectively.”

The heavy rain should ease off overnight and tomorrow should be a drier and brighter day, with one or two showers. But another band of rain will then sweep into the county.

Kirk Waite from the Met Office said: “After a drier day tomorrow, it will turn cloudy overnight and we expect there will be another band of rain which will last into Friday.”