Thousands of properties were flooded during the summer

During a visit to Oxford, Phil Hope praised groups such as the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Oxfam and the Women's Institute (WI) for their work.

He said volunteers were among the first to offer help, "providing food, shelter and compassion for those affected".

The Red Cross and WI volunteers cared for dozens of people in the Kassam Stadium when their homes were flooded.

Too often charities and volunteers do not get the profile they deserve Phil Hope, government minister

Thousands of houses were affected by the flooding in July, but parts of Oxfordshire were particularly badly hit when the deluge caused the Thames to burst its banks.

Mr Hope said: "It is inspiring to see the extent of cooperation there has been in the local community to support those affected by flooding.

"Too often charities and volunteers do not get the profile they deserve in situations like these, and I would like to thank local voluntary sector organisations for their efforts throughout the flooding."

The government said Oxfordshire has received �111,628 from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and �956,500 from the Flood Recovery Grant from Communities and Local Government to help the area recover.