THREE Oxfordshire councils have been invited to claim Government funding to help with the costs of dealing with January's floods.

Local government minister John Healey said he was "satisfied" that assistance was justified to cover the cost of repairs met by Oxford City Council, the Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.

The exact amount of funding, to be awarded under the Bellwin Scheme, will depend on a final assessment of the councils' claims, but a Government spokesman said authorities could "usually" expect to receive 85 per cent of their eligible costs.

The Bellwin Scheme, set up in 1983, provides financial assistance to local authorities, in the event of a disaster or emergency, for expenditure incurred for immediate action that is not normally insurable.

Source: Witney Gazette