STAFF at Oxford's world-famous Botanic Garden are celebrating a narrow escape from disaster.

There had been fears that hundreds of rare plants would be lost when the River Cherwell burst its banks on Saturday morning.

But the historic garden, near Magdalen Bridge, was saved when water levels dropped, after the worst floods seen there since 1946.

Superintendent Timothy Walker said: "We have just been incredibly lucky. If the water had hung around for a few days, it would have been a very different story. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"We suffered a little damage to one of the paths that was eroded, with binding gravel swept away, but that seems to be all."

The Botanic Garden, which dates from 1621, recently spent £50,000 on improvements, including raising paths by 18 inches to prevent flood damage. But the huge amounts of river water pouring in meant the work made little difference, as anxious staff waited for nature to take its course.

Dr Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, is demanding a Government inquiry into how Gosford and Kidlington fell victim to the worst floods in living memory.

Among his questions are: "Was Kidlington sacrificed to save Banbury and Oxford?"

Up to 200 homes in the Queens Avenue, Cherwell Avenue and Mill Street areas were flooded when the River Cherwell burst its banks on Good Friday.

Dr Harris has written to Environment Minister Angela Eagle after receiving more than 20 calls from angry residents. Householders, some of whom have experience of working with water authorities, are demanding to know why the water rose with a sudden surge and not gradually.

In his nine-point letter, Dr Harris questions the Environment Agency's decision to open sluice gates to reduce levels of flooding in Banbury and on the Oxford Canal.

Water officials say the action made no difference to flooding in Kidlington, but, says Dr Harris: "This reasoning is questioned because a surge of water appeared to follow the opening of the gates."

The MP also questions whether waterways, relief water courses and road culverts were well enough maintained to prevent flooding and whether development in the 'M40 corridor', including the A43 trunk road, may have led to more water run-off towards Kidlington.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.