HOME owners have watched in horror as large cracks and gaping holes appear in their homes and driveways following a water leak.

The damage was caused by a burst water main in October, but six months on they are still waiting for it to be fixed.

Claire Salter says the burst main at the top of her mum and dad’s driveway in St John’s, Worcester, triggered a host of other issues which the water company has failed to put right.

A knock-on effect has been felt in the adjacent bungalow where Mel Clarke – who won an archery silver at the London Paralympics last summer – has seen cracks appear in a bedroom and her living room, leading to a gap letting in the cold air.

“It’s been a nightmare,” said the 30-year-old Paralympian, whose landlord Roy Francis has had to install wooden planks in the front room to ensure the damage doesn’t get any worse.

“The cracks have been getting wider and longer and you can hear cracking and creaking.

“The heating just goes straight outside.”

Miss Salter, meanwhile, says the health of parents Kenneth and Kathleen, aged 65 and 63, has suffered as a result while the couple are also contending with cracks and a bedroom window that has moved because of subsidence.

“There had been nothing wrong with the property before this,” said Miss Salter, who also lives in Worcester. “It was perfect for them.

“We are just sick and fed-up with what’s going on.”

She says the trouble started on October 10 when a burst water main caused “small water fountains” to appear on their drive in the Spinney, close to the University of Worcester, and a “torrent of water running down it from the stop tap”.

She said the driveway later collapsed to reveal a hole about four feet deep.

“Their driveway was cordoned off and deemed unsafe to use until January 22 when some workmen appeared to remove the block paving that was left and dig out the rest of the driveway,” said Miss Salter.

“It took them three weeks to do this and they have left an exposed hole under the front of my parents’ bungalow so that the foundations are visible.”

Sarah-Jane Dean, Severn Trent’s customer engagement adviser, said: “We would like to apologise to customers for any distress caused by the water pipe that burst near their property last October.

“The pipe was repaired shortly after the burst was reported to us on October 10.”

She said Severn Trent is still investigating what potential damage the leak may have caused to Mr and Mrs Salter’s property and driveway.

“We understand that situations like this can be very inconvenient and we are doing everything we can to help Mr and Mrs Salter,” she added.

“Our insurance loss adjustors have been in touch with them to discuss the way forward and the further investigation work that is needed.

“Mr Francis has notified us that his property may also (have) been affected by the burst pipe and we are in contact with his legal representatives to agree the next steps.”