BBC Local Live: Oxfordshire

The afternoon's rain and wind will clear through the evening, leaving some heavy scattered showers overnight.

BBCCopyright: BBC

We could hear some thunder in the night, and it will feel cooler, with lows of 4C (39F).

You can get a full 10-day forecast on the BBC Weather site.

This evening's top sport stories:

• Oxford City are in talks with Cheltenham Town over extending the loan of winger Omari Sterling-James, which expires this weekend
• Unclaimed season ticket seats for the FA Cup third round match between Oxford United and Swansea go on sale to the public tomorrow at 09:30

The county's top stories this evening:

• A man from Banbury has died after being involved in a collision with a van in Steeple Aston this morning
• Local people should be involved in the management of flood defences, the Oxford Flood Alliance says
• More mosquito nets are needed in the effort to eliminate malaria, a new Oxford Univeristy study says

• There is a lane closed on the M40 southbound, before J6 at Watlington, because of a crash
• There is slow traffic in Oxford at the Cutteslowe roundabout in the roadworks area
• Engineering works on the rails mean that GWR services are suspended between Greenford and London Paddington, and also a reduced service from London to Reading

You can get the latest where you are on the BBC Travel site.

Guide dogs are not uncommon on the country’s streets, but there are some parts of the world where the four-legged companions have never set foot.  

On tomorrow's show, Howard will be speaking to people from Oxfordshire who have received an award, knighthood or peerage in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

APCopyright: AP

We'll also continue our look back on the political year, with local Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder.

Join Howard for all that and more from 06:00.

Local residents should work alongside the Environment Agency, councils, Thames Water and environmental groups to deliver flood protection projects for Oxford, according to the Oxford Flood Alliance.

BBCCopyright: BBC

A £120m project to protect the city has been proposed, but work is not expected to begin before 2018.

Quote Message: I think it would make sure it actually happens... and there would be a proper system in place to make sure that things are properly maintained and not left to chance. from Peter Rawcliffe Chair, Oxford Flood Alliance

I think it would make sure it actually happens... and there would be a proper system in place to make sure that things are properly maintained and not left to chance.

Oxfordshire still doesn't have a practical and sustainable plan to deal with future flood risks, according to the Sustainable Flood Plan Group.

James HolleyCopyright: James Holley

The group, which comprises academics, engineers and planning professionals, is supported by the Oxfordshire Green Party.

Quote Message: We have heard politicians extol the benefits of the proposed western conveyance channel in protecting the residents of Oxford from future flooding events. Yet this hugely costly scheme is unlikely to be implemented unless local landowners take on the unknown and ongoing expenses of its maintenance. from Dr Kate Prendergast Green Party Oxford City Council candidate and Sustainable Flood Plan Group member

We have heard politicians extol the benefits of the proposed western conveyance channel in protecting the residents of Oxford from future flooding events. Yet this hugely costly scheme is unlikely to be implemented unless local landowners take on the unknown and ongoing expenses of its maintenance.

The Leys Pools and Leisure Centre in Oxford has exceeded the number of visitors expected during the first year of its operation, the company which runs it says.

Oxford City CouncilCopyright: Oxford City Council

The facility replaced the city's Temple Cowley Pools, which campaigners tried to save, and an existing pool in Blackbird Leys.

Quote Message: This year has been absolutely fantastic, better than we expected with record numbers, close to 450,000 visits in 2015. In comparison to the Temple Cowley Pools and Blackbird Leys Pool, which are the two we lost, they had reached 248,000. from Wayne Hawkins Fusion Lifestyle

This year has been absolutely fantastic, better than we expected with record numbers, close to 450,000 visits in 2015. In comparison to the Temple Cowley Pools and Blackbird Leys Pool, which are the two we lost, they had reached 248,000.

Oxfordshire Sport & Physical Activity is encouraging women in the county to become more active in 2016.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

They are suggesting sports clubs, fundraising groups, people involved in disability sports and work-based clubs apply for money from the nationwide Sportivate fund.

You can find out more and apply online here.

Bereaved brothers suffered a “devastating shock” after a council error meant they could not bury their mother with her sweetheart.

Oxford University researchers have called for more mosquito nets and better delivery methods in order to make inroads in the elimination of malaria.

AFPCopyright: AFP

A new study suggests that insecticide-treated malaria net coverage remains well below the 100% universal target, and the estimates for the number of nets needed to achieve the target were also too low.

The team used data on distribution and retention to inform their new estimates, which showed that in 2013 only 43% of people at risk of malaria slept under a net.

Hundreds of people in Oxfordshire are still without power this afternoon, after high winds affected supplies.

Properties in the north of the county and near Wheatley lost power this morning.

Southern Energy Power Distribution says engineers hope to fix the problems by 18:00.

Michael Willis sent in this picture from the grounds of Blenheim Palace, taken in the very pleasant weather yesterday.

Michael WillisCopyright: Michael Willis

If you would like to share a picture with the rest of the county, why not send it in?

A pink Nevada Stratocaster signed by many of the 80s pop stars who performed at the Rewind Festival has been auctioned for Sue Ryder, raising £285 for the charity.  

The peaceful scene of a pink sunset was taken by BBC Weather Watcher Finmar, in the Witney area.

FinmarCopyright: Finmar

We love to feature your photos from around Oxfordshire, so if you'd like to see one on Local Live, please do send it in.

A new 'forest school' will be installed near Rose Hill Primary School’s playground in the New Year.