PERSISTENT flooding in an area of Melksham could soon be a thing of the past after repairs are made to a sewer next month.

Residents of Awdry Avenue, off Forest Road, are faced with the unpleasant job of cleaning up raw sewage from outside their homes when the drains block after almost every heavy downpour.

The problem began in 1998 when the Environment Agency blocked a sewerage overflow pipe that had been taking overflow waste into the River Avon.

In a heavy downpour the mains sewer cannot cope with the extra water, which starts backing up into the sewer connected to their houses.

John and Lesley Shorthouse, who live in Awdry Avenue, regularly witness their garden disappear under gallons of sewage.

Mr Shorthouse, 69, said: "The back garden has flooded several times and on all occasions it has been a foot deep in sewerage water. It's horrible.

"It stinks inside the house, you have to think twice about using the toilets and flushing water out of the sinks, and we can't let our dog out. We've been on to the water board, county council and just about everybody that we can think of.

"It's very stressful - every time you have to wash down with Jeyes Fluid and jet wash everything."

Wessex Water announced at the end of last month they were carrying out sewer improvement works in Awdry Avenue from October 1 for about 70 days.

They sent a letter informing the town council of the work.

Cllr Vic Oakman said: "The flooding problem has been there for many years and there have been a number of meetings with different agencies.

"Finally we have got the news that we are getting something done."

The new sewer will have an internal diameter of 525mm and will range between 2-5.4m in depth.

During normal conditions flows will continue along the route but during storm conditions flows will spill down the new system via a chamber at the top end of the scheme to ensure water is taken down the new pipe before flooding can occur.