A SEWAGE problem that has been causing a stink in Leigh Sinton for more than two years has been fixed.

Residents in nine properties, who faced paying £1,000 per household to solve the problem, are relieved the site's developer has funded the work.

Waste from the homes, on a former garage site in Hereford Road, was being directed into a storm drain.

During heavy rainfall the waste rose up through a drain and flowed along the busy road, splashing on to driveways.

In September, Malvern Hills District Council told homeowners they faced a bill of more than £1,000 each to redirect waste into the sewerage system.

Environmental health officer Malcolm Robinson said that, after negotiations, developer Adrian Edwards agreed to pay for the work, which has now been completed at no cost to residents.

Mr Robinson is pleased homeowners have been spared the expense.

"It's all worked out very well," he said.

The offending drain is just outside Katie Smith's house and she hopes the days of her daughter wading through sewage to get to school are now gone.

"The situation was getting really bad and I'm just glad that it's been sorted," she said. "We haven't had any rain yet, but hopefully we've seen the end of the matter."

Leigh and Bransford Parish clerk Maureen Croall said she was delighted residents had not been forced to fund the repairs.

"It was terrible for the people living in the area," she said.