RESIDENTS of a Durham City street claim their homes have been damaged by a collapsed sewer, which has not been repaired.

The Northumbrian Water-owned sewer in Edward Street, Gilesgate, has collapsed twice in recent months and has left a huge hole in the road.

Some of the street's 14 terraced houses have suffered cracks and warping in walls.

The problem dates back to October last year, but residents claim there has been little sign of action since it was first reported.

Residents' spokeswoman Maureen Clough, whose council house faces the hole, said: "My walls are bevelling and I've got cracks in the beams.

"The path outside the house has been relaid and that, too, is subsiding. Two houses in the street have cracks in the wall.

"We are getting officials coming here, writing things down and going away again. Nothing is getting done.

"I'm worried that the house is going to end up in this 5ft-deep hole."

Ms Clough said residents were concerned that emergency vehicles would not be able to pass the fenced-off hole and that children might play near it.

Contractors are being sent to the street on a regular basis to pump out the sewer and Durham County Council has created a temporary road at the bottom of the street.

A Northumbrian Water spokesman said the sewer had collapsed twice, a problem thought to be caused by slippage linked to an old mine workings.

"Our main concern is our asset there. It has taken some time. We have repaired it and it has collapsed again.

"We are doing a thorough investigation looking for the solution."

He said that the company hoped to have the results of a geotechnical survey in the near future.

A spokeswoman for Durham City Council said: "This week we have been out to look within the houses to see if there are any signs of recent movement and there are none. The attempts to stabilise the sewer are ongoing.

"A temporary road has been put in at the expense of the county council.