Severn Trent has left staff at Worcester Racecourse confused after it said it was not responsible for clearing sewage remaining on the ground from the recent flooding.

The problem on and near Pitchcroft was highlighted last week, after John Weston contacted the Evening News over sewage concerns.

He said he had witnessed waste erupting from a drain near the racecourse just before the December floods.

Since then Mr Weston, of Severn Terrace, says the area has not been cleared and he feared it could be a health risk.

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said the water firm had an agreement with Worcester City Council about sewage left on the ground.

She said it was the responsibility of the council to organise the clear-up operation.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Worcester Racecourse said she had tried on various occasions last week to contact Severn Trent.

"To be honest, it was a nightmare trying to get through to them," she added.

"I tried to reach them on the 0800 number but couldn't get through.

"I eventually reached them last Friday, but I'm still not much clearer. Severn Trent says it's the council's responsibility but I think that's a bit unfair because it was a Severn Trent drain which couldn't cope.

"We've got our first race in March, so we'll get it cleared up as soon as possible."

Anita Fletcher, principal environment health officer at the city council, said the problem first came to her attention last week, and the council was looking at ways to best clear the area.

Severn Trent has now said that it will help the city council in a clean-up operation and is looking into when the work can be carried out.