URGENT work to repair Melksham's 100-year-old sewers is to begin this weekend. Wessex Water will be renovating pipes built in the early 20th century.

A statement from the company said: "Camera surveys of the town's sewerage system have discovered structural problems, which, without investment, would continue to deteriorate.

"This could lead to sewer collapses causing unnecessary disruption for the town and problems to the environment."

The repair work will begin on Sunday with temporary pipes being laid underground at Bradford Road and the A350 roundabout.

The repair work will be carried out using modern relining methods, which reduce the need for excavations.

The process involves a polyester 'sock' being fed inside the sewer and filled with water.

The water is heated up to 90C and then cooled, so the sock forms a solid shell within the pipeline.

The work will be done on three successive Sundays, with the lining being undertaken during the week beginning February 16.

The final stage will be the removal of the temporary pipelines.