A FLOOD victim is rallying support for the first legal action against the Environment Agency in the wake of this summer's floods.

Alison Cobb, from Binsey, was yesterday seeking legal advice for a "class action" against the agency.

She already has backing from more than 100 flood victims who applauded her call for pulling people together for joint legal proceedings.

Mrs Cobb admitted she was looking to take the action at a meeting in West Oxford Community Centre, in Botley Road, on Wednesday night.

She said: "The agency is to blame. I suggest that we do a class action and we take them to court and make them pay for everybody that was flooded.

"They knew what to do, and they did not do it."

An agency spokeswoman confirmed it would be the first time a class action had been taken against the organisation.

A legal expert said group legal action was unheard of in relation to flood incidents and usually involved health issues such as steps against cigarette firms.

Mrs Cobb's complaint is centred on Swift Ditch - a stream she said had acted as an overflow from Port Meadow since 1792.

The stream, which sits 50 yards south of Godstow Lock, should act as a bypass for Binsey and Botley Road, Mrs Cobb explained.

But she told the meeting the four metre wide stream had been left "absolutely choked" with plants. It meant the flood water deluged her village and the Botley Road area.

Mrs Cobb said she had 10 maps from between 1792 and 1944 which showed Swift Ditch had worked as an overflow before it became blocked.

She said she pointed out to the problems at Swift Ditch to the agency before the floods.

And she added: "It is a complete waste of time talking to the agency.

"For three floods they have known what to do and they have failed to do it."

Rob Alexander, from the agency's flood risk management department, insisted at the meeting that "it was not as simple as that".

Andy Webber, from Earl Street, said: "Seven years and three floods - up until now people have just ignored us.

"We want something done."

Mrs Cobb's suggestion follows the rejection of £250 in Government compensation money by some owners in flood-hit homes.

Many would rather see the cash spent on flood defences.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "It is for the individuals to decide what action to take, or not, based on legal advice."