A HONEYBOURNE landlord is considering legal action after his pub was flooded at the weekend for the umpteenth time.

In February Paul Wadsworth of the Gate Inn told the Journal of his frustration after water lapped into his premises from a 3ft deep 'lake' in the village centre.

He said he had complained to the council at the time, and on numerous other occasions over the past three years since he had been landlord, but no action had been taken.

Mr Wadsworth said: "They could at least clear the ditches like they have done in other villages. I was flooded again twice over the weekend - my livelihood is being threatened.

"I have already appealed to the council for a rate reduction but if nothing is being done to alleviate the flooding problem I will be contacting my solicitor to see what legal action I can take. I am at my wits' end."

Maintenance engineer for Wychavon's Highways Partnership, David Lavender said: "We can only do so much.

"We have checked the gullies and culverts, and will do so again, but it is up to adjacent land owners to make sure their ditches are cleared."

Engineering service manager for Wychavon, Tony Jones, said: "Our only legal obligation is to ensure that landowners keep their ditches clear, however the council has put money aside for a flooding alleviation programme to be carried out over the next three years.

"Honeybourne, however, is not on the list. Councillors presumably felt that there were more serious flooding problems elsewhere in the district to be tackled first."

District and county councillor for the village, Tom Bean said: "The problem of village centre flooding has been with us ever since I can remember.

"It may have been made worse by surface water running off the new estate, which is something I have asked planning officers to investigate."