Blocked sewers on the increase in Shropshire

And the firm is putting the blame squarely on householders for throwing the wrong type of items down plugs and toilets.

The water company says that there were 145 sewer blockages in March this year compared with 82 across the county in November last year.

The figures were released just weeks after it was revealed that giant tropical fish, originally thought to be piranhas, were found blocking a drain in Madeley - and piles of underwear were also found in blocked pipes in Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth.

Severn Trent Water's waste water manager James Jesic said: "Sewer blockages in Shropshire have increased by a huge number over the last few months.

"Sewers are only designed to cope with toilet paper and human waste.

"So some of the things people throw down the toilet, like sanitary products or nappies, can easily snag on the inside of a pipe and block it."

Severn Trent also says that keeping fat, oil and grease out of the drains is vital.

The company recommends putting left over fat into a container like a pasta jar and throwing it in the bin.

Mr Jesic said blocked sewers cost the company money and can cause flooding.

"All this can easily be avoided, by people disposing of items in the bin, and not the toilet or sink," he said.