Fears have been raised that a new deal between the Government and insurance companies will not help many flood victims in Oxfordshire.

Dr Peter Rawcliffe, of the Oxford Flood Alliance, said the agreement would not protect hundreds of householders across the county.

He said that insurers would still be able to "cherry pick" the properties they will provide cover for.

Government Floods Minister Phil Woolas announced on Friday that the agreement reached with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) would ensure that householders were able to obtain protection against flooding.

Under the agreement, insurers will guarantee to provide protection to any property where the flood risk is no worse than once in 75 years.

They will also offer flood cover to existing domestic and small business customers at more frequent risk - provided there are plans to reduce risk to an acceptable level within five years.

Dr Rawcliffe, of South Hinksey, said: "Hundreds of homes in West Oxford have flooded once, twice, or three times in the last eight years and, even if the homes have only flooded once recently, they would have been affected by the flood in 1947.

"As a result, they would not be protected by this new guidance and that would allow insurance companies to continue to cherry-pick the homes they provide cover for.

"This will not be a huge help for many people, and the Government needs to do more."

Dr Rawcliffe added: "If people make their homes more flood-resilient they should be given lower premiums and continued insurance cover."

Justin Jacobs, of the Association of British Insurers, said: "The pressure remains on the Government because they must deliver those defences to people in order to make sure we can offer that affordable insurance."