A father is “devastated” a blocked pipe has caused sewage to flood his garden seven times over the past six months.

Garry Knott, who has lived in Hazelwood Road, Croxley Green for 11 years, fears his garden is now a “health hazard” and is reluctant to let his three children - aged between 12 and 19 – step outside in case they step in the dirty water.

His garden also backs onto the Grand Union Canal and Mr Knott is concerned the wildlife could be in danger as the waste regularly seeps towards the water in the canal.

The flooding is cleaned up by Thames Water very time it occurs but Mr Knott believes the pipe should have been fixed the first time it happened last June to prevent further flooding.

Mr Knott said: “I feel desperate as this should not keep happening – it even occurred twice in December.

“It is devastating to see this happen in your own back garden as it is a health hazard to my family,”

A Thames Water spokesperson apologised for the blockage and said the pipe will be cleaned next week to prevent any future flooding.

They said: “We’re sorry our customer’s garden has been flooded, which we appreciate is never a pleasant experience.

“The flooding is due to a blocked sewer pipe on third-party land and we’ve had to agree access with a number of other local landowners.

“With the final access granted yesterday, we’ll shortly be able to clean this length of pipe which should prevent any future flooding.”