A SEWERAGE works in east Cleveland is causing problems for local people.

Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, was asked to find out why Marske sewerage works had caused flooding on the stray and a bad odour.

Mrs Baird said: "Northumbrian Water told me that flooding on the coast road came from the gravity sewer which runs from Bydales to the Marske works.

"It appears there was heavy rain after a long dry spell and this flushed the sewer and caused two of the works inlet pumps to be blocked.

"Unfortunately, Northumbrian Water was repairing other pumps and the sewage overflowed on the coast road.

"At the same time, other repairs to the Marske works caused yet more off-site aromas.

"Northumbrian Water has made a note of these complaints, but they have not given any indication that they have found a satisfactory solution to the foul smells and I will be pressing them to sort the problem."

Alistair Baker, spokesman for Northumbrian Water, said: "The flush of water brought with it the customary materials which should not be in sewers, but which frequently are, and that blocked the pumps.

"Although it is Northumbrian Water's responsibility to make sure its sewers are working, it would help if people did not flush all the things that they do.

"We are well aware of the smell. The work has been dogged by a variety of different problems and we are doing everything we possibly can to get it working.

"We are trying to get to the root of the problems and, like Vera Baird, we are anxious that we do that as soon as possible."