A six-week survey of nearly 20 miles of sewers in Watford will be undertaken in order to clear blockages built up over ten years.

The work will involve 20 engineers looking down every sewer pipe in the town to see if there are any blockages that need cleaning or repairs that need doing.

Thames Water has started the scheme to try and solve a long-standing issue with sewer flooding in the town.

Bob Collington, Thames Water’s operations director, said: "We have had repeated issues over the years in Watford and although we have put in a lot of short-term solutions.

"These have not solved the problem. We are now assessing the whole of the sewer network to make sure we find out exactly where the problems are and how to resolve them.

"This is a big job but and our plan is to get the work done in six weeks, but obviously this might take longer depending on what we find when we get underground."

Work will start in Kensington Avenue in West Watford, and will take place at times aiming to cause minimal disruption.

Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, said: "I know that there are concerns about sewerage and flooding in certain parts of Watford, therefore I am delighted that this proactive work will lead to a resolution for many residents."