BBC Local Live: Oxfordshire

On South Today this evening: A warning to dog owners about a disease that could kill their pets - we hear one woman's story.

Also, the rise in people having amputations because they've failed to manage their diabetes, and the Oxford artist who's work will be seen on Brighton seafront.

Join Geraldine for all that and more at 18:30.

The county's top sports stories this evening:

• Oxford United's 19-year-old defender Miles Welch Hayes has extended his loan at Banbury United by another month
• United say they want to include fans as much as possible in a pre-season tour of Spain this July

No roads have so far been closed in the area, but the council has asked people to "drive with due care and attention".

This evening's top stories in Oxfordshire:

• County councillors have written to MPs to express concern over a cut to Oxfordshire's budget
• A Banbury group has started a collection of household items to aid flood victims in northern England
• Magdalen College has taken full ownership of Oxford Science Park

Oxfordshire brewer Brakspear is into the final three for the award for Best Brewing Pub Company of the Year at the Publican Awards.

BrakspearCopyright: Brakspear

The Henley-based brewery will be visited by judges and chief executive Tom Davies and head brewer Malcolm Mayo (both pictured) will be interviewed by a panel of industry experts.

The other two finalists are Scottish brewer BrewDog and Nottingham-based Castle Rock. The winner will be announced on 15 March.

An Oxford artist who won a public vote to have his seven-foot concept sculpture displayed on Hove seafront says he wants to provoke a reaction.

Matthew Davis says the commission for Hove's plinth project, which will see the artwork installed in 2017, was an "absolutely amazing" opportunity.

Concerns that cuts will be made in an unplanned way have been raised by senior conservatives on Oxfordshire County Council.

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The local authority's cabinet members have all signed a letter to Oxfordshire's MPs after the council learned it would receive about £20m less than it expected from the government.

The letter says "potentially painful cuts will have to be made at very short notice in an unplanned way, without any phasing to mitigate the impact on tax payers and service users in the short term".

With parts of Scotland and northern England still clearing-up after a series of floods over the Christmas period, people in Banbury are trying to help.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Banbury Flood Friends is collecting donations of furniture, washing machines and cleaning products which will be delivered at the end of the week.

Quote Message: If we can help try and make a difference, then we have to do that... we've been overwhelmed with people going out of their way to buy bits and pieces and dropping it off to us. from Melvin Deamer Banbury Flood Friends

If we can help try and make a difference, then we have to do that... we've been overwhelmed with people going out of their way to buy bits and pieces and dropping it off to us.

• A broken-down vehicle on the A34 southbound, at the Botley Interchange in Oxford is causing delays
• It's also slow going on the eastern bypass between Cowley and the Littlemore roundabout
• Abingdon is looking busy on Marcham Road in both directions

You can keep up-to-date with the BBC Travel site.

Anthony Morris has sent in this picture of a little Blue Tit  braving the rain in his apple tree in Farmoor.

Anthony MorrisCopyright: Anthony Morris

We love to feature your photos, so please do send them in to Local Live.

An Oxfordshire headteacher has expressed reservations about a new times table test for 11-year-olds. 

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Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has announced the move that will be introduced across the country in 2017, but Lynn Knapp (pictured) thinks teachers are in the best position to assess the multiplication skills of pupils. 

Quote Message: There are children that need other strategies to support them, and not just learning by rote. from Lynn Knapp Headteacher, Windmill Primary in Headington

There are children that need other strategies to support them, and not just learning by rote.

An aspiring singer-songwriter from Blackbird Leys has set up a record label to help young people in Oxford and further afield break into music.  

There has been a small protest outside Oxford railway station against fare increases and the privatisation of rail services. 

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Action for Rail - a campaign by rail unions and the TUC - says the privatisation of the railways has caused expensive ticket prices and delayed trains. 

But the government says this year's ticket increases have been one of the lowest in decades, despite the economy recovering.  

Schoolchildren in Oxfordshire are being encouraged to get close to nature over the next month. 

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The RSPB's annual Big School's Birdwatch gets under way today and aims to stop young people becoming disconnected from the natural world.

Andy Waters, from the RSPB in Banbury, said: "Children, they love their technology but I can assure you that if you take them out to the local pond or wood, get them to build a den, they just don't miss it at all, they have such a great time and a thrill in nature."

More than a week on from an assault in Oxford where a man was struck by a cyclist who deliberately rode into him, the victim is still recovering from head and leg injuries.

He had been walking in Littlemore Park when he was cycled into then punched in the face at about 18:30 on Sunday 27 December, police said.

The victim - who is in his 50s - was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and has now been discharged.

Road closures are being brought in in Headington to enable work to install a pipeline between hospitals in Oxfordshire. 

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCopyright: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The work to link and upgrade the heating systems at the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals began on site in November.

All Saints Road, Latimer Road and Stapleton Road will all have part closures in place from today until 27 January.

Swimmers raised £150 for charity after completing 400 lengths of the pool at Henley leisure centre.  

A charity offering young carers respite breaks, says it can't cope with demand as the number of people referred to it has dramatically increased.

John Tabor, from South and Vale Carers Centre, says some youngsters are waiting up to four months for a respite break.

The number of young carers in the county has gone up from 109 to 246 in a year, according to latest figures from the council.

It's a cloudy day with scattered showers and gusty winds.

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You can get a full forecast on the BBC Weather site.