THE weekend s torrential downpour left two Ely pensioners with inches of raw sewage in their gardens. Marjorie Reid, 71, who is registered disabled, cleared up some of the sewage, which contained toilet roll and condoms, herself. Her 84-year-old neighbo

THE weekend's torrential downpour left two Ely pensioners with inches of raw sewage in their gardens.

Marjorie Reid, 71, who is registered disabled, cleared up some of the sewage, which contained toilet roll and condoms, herself. Her 84-year-old neighbour Jean Jones had a drain spurting water into the garden. "It's only got to start to rain again and the water will come over the back step," she said. "There was used toilet roil, all sorts of things in there."

The ladies' bungalows in Kent Close have had ongoing problems with flood water - and told the Ely Standard that the authorities have asked them to pay for sandbags which they are unable to install themselves.

"I've lived here 20 years and this is the sixth time this has happened," said Mrs Reid. We're in bungalows, so we haven't got anywhere to go if the flooding gets worse."

A spokesperson for Anglia Water said they sent representatives to help residents of Kent's Close clean up on both Saturday and Sunday.

"The flooding was caused by the deluge of rain which has been quoted as a month's rainfall in a day," said the spokeswoman. She confirmed that there were no failures of the Anglian Water systems, and it would be normal for the system to be overwhelmed after exceptionally heavy rains.

"Someone once described it to me as like pouring a pint of water into a half pint glass using a straw," she added.

The district council said they would send an environmental health officer to investigate the damage in Kent's Close, but they advise home owners not to touch the flood water or the sewage as there is a contamination risk.

If you have a flooding problem contact the Environment Agency first, and the district council can help in an emergency. The fire service are not legally responsible for flooding issues and are unable to hand out sandbags. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said their specialist pumping equipment only works when there is more than a foot of water, but they would certainly attend an incident if somebody's life was at risk.

Factfile

Sandbag stockists in Ely

How much will it cost you?

Jewsons (Angel Drove) Empty sack 75p Sand to fill approx three bags: £4.12

Travis Perkins (Lisle Lane) Empty sack 83p Sand to fill it: £3.03

If you think your area is at risk of flooding, updates are available on the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/