Garden floods 10 times in year

A Shropshire couple had their garden flooded after the weekend's rain - for the 10th time this year.

Jean and Graham Williams, 66 and 71, of St Georges Road, in Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, say their garden is persistently ruined because of a drainage problem.

It has been ongoing for the five years they lived there, but is getting worse, despite them calling for action.

Numerous floods have seen the goldfish population of their garden pond reduced from 10 to three, while leaving it dirty and their plants ruined.

Mrs Williams said on average they were flooded around five times most years but the problem seemed to be getting worse.

On Sunday night, following the heavy storms, the water was up to 3ft deep.

It often covers the couple's garden pond and has seen them lose seven of an original 10 resident goldfish.

"There is a manhole in Moss Road, behind us, that lifts right up. We are lowest so we get it worst, but it affects our neighbours as well," said Mrs Williams.

She said residents had discussed the issue with Telford & Wrekin Council but nothing had yet been done and the problem was getting worse.

"It is awful. This was the 10th time this year."

She said the water had killed all their tomato plants and would have ruined vegetable seeds.

David Morgan, from the council, said the council offered to assist with the clean-up on Monday.

He added: The problem relates to a partially collapsed culvert in the rear gardens of Moss Road. The owners of the bungalows are also the owners of the culvert as it passes from one garden to the next.

"We are working with these residents to help, while we try and get grant aid funding for a scheme from Defra. We keep residents up to date with all aspects of this problem via a residents spokesperson who advises residents of what is happening," he said.

By Dave West