THE story of how residents in a Worcester street won their battle with a water giant will be told at a national conference.

Mary Dhonau, chairman of Worcester Action Against Floods, will be giving a joint presentation at the National Flood Forum's conference.

Phil Gelder, the sewage control manager for Severn Trent Water, will be joining Mrs Dhonau on stage to talk about Waverley Street.

They are two of the speakers at the conference to be held on Monday, October 28, in York.

"I'm going to talk about what happened in our street and all we did to make Severn Trent listen to us," said Mrs Dhonau.

"We knew what was happening wasn't a new problem.

"I'm talking about all the help we got, including going to Downing Street.

"Phil will be talking about the impact it had on Severn Trent and how they realised we wouldn't go away.

"They found out there was a problem with the sewerage in Waverley Street.

"They're holding their hands up and saying what lessons they've learnt from it.

"They're considered water giants and this has had a knock-on effect nationally."

Mrs Dhonau and other residents of Waverley Street and Cavendish Street - which was also affected by sewage flooding homes - joined forces to campaign for action following flooding two years ago.

A dossier of evidence was

presented to Downing Street and, soon after, Severn Trent admitted there was a problem.

"We sent Severn Trent the same portfolio and the Prime Minister's office rang them up about it," said Mrs Dhonau.

"It made them realise we had a serious issue and we weren't causing a fuss over nothing.

"I'm going to tell people who are going through the same thing, that if they believe they are right, they should go for it.

"Jump up and down and cause a fuss and people will listen to you."

Other speakers at the event include Floods Minister Elliot Morley and Baroness Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency.

Following the Waverley Street campaign, a new pumping station will be completed this month.