RESIDENTS are calling for action to prevent untreated sewage flooding on to a main road in front of their homes.

Heavy rain in Skinningrove causes untreated sewage to rise up through manholes in Mill Lane, near the Tom Leonard Mining Museum, in front of nearby homes.

People have to put up with 2ft deep water, sanitary towels and other waste being strewn across the road, causing a health risk to pedestrians and motorists and blocking traffic.

Great-grandfather Bill Hewison, 73, of Mill Lane, whose garages have been flooded three times in recent months, said the problem, which started 40 years ago, had got increasingly worse in the past two years.

He said: "It is appalling. The road is well used by cars and pedestrians and you get children playing around here.

"It's a health hazard and when the manhole cover is pushed up by the force of the water, an 8ft hole is left open in the middle of the road.

"I'm ashamed when I have visitors, with sanitary towels and other waste lying in front of my home."

Local councillor Val Miller said: "It is very dangerous and unacceptable for this to keep happening on the main road to Skinningrove."

Cara Hall, from Northumbrian Water, said: "We appreciate that having untreated waste water in the public highway is not pleasant.

"We now believe there is a blockage in the sewer and we are going to do as much as we can to clear it as soon as possible.

"The recent very heavy rainfall has also contributed to manholes surcharging.

"When the blockage has been cleared, we will then carry out a clean-up of the highway.

"The Environment Agency has given us permission to pump waste water into a nearby beck, which will reduce the amount surcharging on to the highway.

"It will also allow us to put a camera down the manholes into the sewer.

"We have a scheme in the pipeline which will help alleviate the problems at Mill Lane."