Sewers are cleaned in attempt to fix mystery stink

Sewers have been cleaned in an attempt to rid a town of a mystery stink said to have been bothering residents for years.

Locals in the Kingsholm area of Gloucester previously likened the stench to a "cesspit" and said it had been seeping into their houses.

Severn Trent Water has now said that it has completed "extensive sewer cleansing" following months of investigation work.

It said defects were also found within the highways drainage system, which is the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council. The council said it would carry out repairs "as soon as possible".

Resident Huw Parry told the BBC in January the "overpowering smell" had been around for six to seven years.

It was particularly bad on Kingsholm Road, Denmark Road and Lansdown Road, he said.

Severn Trent Water said it cleaned water pipes in the area in January in response to residents' complaints, and that it has been investigating since.

A spokesperson for the water company said: "We've now completed extensive sewer cleansing throughout the area, including Denmark Road, St Mark Street, Dean's Walk, and Kingsholm Road."

The company thanked residents for their "patience and understanding".

Mark Harris of Gloucestershire County Council said the authority had been working with Severn Trent and had carried out a CCTV investigation to review the condition of the drainage system ahead of repairs.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.