Sewage pumped from woman's garden for 100 days

Melissa Stroud said previously the smell was so bad she was unable to open the windows of her home

"This marks a sorry anniversary today," says a woman who has had sewage pumped out of her garden for 100 days.

Melissa Stroud, from Oakfield Road in Pamber Heath, Hampshire, said she was still waiting for Thames Water, which has been carrying out sewer repair works, to tell her a plan.

"It's so ongoing, so tiring, so depressing, I can't begin to explain," she said.

Thames Water apologised and said it would progress the repairs "as quickly and safely as possible."

Tankers are parked outside Mrs Stroud's house and are connected to a pipe that is linked to a manhole in the garden.

"The tankers are there throughout the day and they come more frequently during the rain," she said.

She added the family had been offered the alternative of four generators for pumping put in her back garden, however, Mrs Stroud is worried it would take up the whole space.

She said previously the smell was so bad she was unable to open the windows of her home.

Mrs Stroud has had a tanker pumping sewage from her garden for 100 days

The homeowner previously said the water firm was not communicating with her but now says this has improved and she is having "weekly updates".

She added new investigations have been completed and civil engineers are estimating the works will take a further five months.

In a statement, Thames Water said: "We sincerely apologise for the disruption being caused by our sewer repair work...

"The repairs have proven more complex than initially anticipated due to the ground conditions, proximity to properties and the depth of the sewer.

"Please be assured that we are committed to progressing our repairs as quickly and safely as possible.

"We will continue to keep residents and stakeholders informed throughout."