FLOOD defence options for Abingdon need to be thoroughly investigated according to the town’s MP.

At a special meeting yesterday Nicola Blackwood, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, told council leaders it was essential schemes to protect Oxford did not have a knock-on effect downstream.

She said: “Protecting Abingdon from flooding is a vital part of our long-term strategic response to these winter floods.

“There are over 300 homes at significant risk of flooding from the River Ock and I am determined to do whatever I can to push for better flood protection for Abingdon, as well as Oxford.”

The plea came after town leaders in Abingdon and Wallingford called to be remembered in plans for a £123m Western Conveyance channel for Oxford.

They warned the scheme could make flooding worse downstream if water is diverted past the city more quickly.

Leader of the Vale council Matthew Barber, Abingdon Town Council leader Sandy Lovatt, and Ms Blackwood agreed at the meeting to ask the Environment Agency to look into specific flood protection schemes for Abingdon.

A county-wide flood summit takes place on March 21.