VICTIMS of flooding in West Swindon are demanding action to ensure their homes are safe during torrential rain.

At least five homes in Moresby Close, Westlea, were swamped by up to six inches of foul water when a brook flooded and sewers burst during a recent downpour.

Now, three weeks on, residents are angry that no one in authority will take responsibility for ensuring the misery is not repeated.

Several families in the worst affected area are having to live in hotels while their homes are repaired.

Some fear it will be Christmas by the time they can move back in.

While they are busy clearing up the mess, they say Thames Water and Swindon Council should be sorting out the problem.

The council is responsible for the brook, while the water board maintains the sewers.

Resident Nick Jansen, 59, says Swindon Council is failing to maintain the brook, which runs along the rear of the estate.

The stream is normally a trickle, but swells into a torrent during storms, when it takes excess water from the drainage system.

He says it hasn't been cleared for years.

"I have never seen it so overgrown," he said.

"I have lived here for 25 years, and the council has only cleared it out once.The culvert near our house is blocked with debris."

Mr Jansen and his wife Joy, 56, have had their home disinfected since the flood.

All the downstairs carpets, skirting boards and kitchen cabinets will have to be replaced.

Ian Godwin, 40, his wife Debbie 39, and their two boys Karl, nine, and Dean, 12, are in a similar situation.

Ian said: "There was six inches of stinking sewage water in our house.

"Someone needs to put their hand up and say it is their responsibility."

But neither Thames Water nor the council say they are at fault.

Swindon Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop, said engineers had visited the area, and found the waterway to be clear.

Thames Water says the drainage system backed-up because an overflow pipe emptying into the brook became submerged.

Spokesman Chris Shipway said: "If the brook was cleared regularly, the water level wouldn't have reached the level of the pipe.

"The reason the council failed to find any blockage is because residents removed the debris themselves.They removed branches clogged with vegetation.

"The reason we know is because one of our employees lives in the close."

Tamash Lal