A DOG walker has called for improvements to the sewage system at a popular green area, after it overflowed for the second successive year.

Colin Edwards, aged 57 of Victoria Avenue, told the Journal he had seen large areas of Crown Meadow, in Evesham, covered in used toilet paper and human faeces whilst walking his dog just before Christmas in 2016.

Mr Edwards reported a similar situation this year, seeing baby wipes and tampons amongst the overflowing sewage.

He is worried a proposal by Hallam Land Management to build 220 new homes on land off Abbey Road will increase demand on the town's sewage system - making the situation worse, as well other local housing development plans which have been submitted.

He said: "It is not very nice to look at. The area is used for all kinds of events including family picnics.

"I don't think it will do the town's tourism any good and there are proposals for around 350 new homes nearby, which is the size of a village really.

"If the development goes ahead it needs sorting, if you are building a development you need to have a plan to deal with traffic or flooding, so why not sewage?

"I can see baby wipes and tampons and it is not very nice for people to see, and it doesn't smell very nice.

"Crown Meadow is used throughout the year by visitors to Evesham where they have picnics sit on the grass and play. It is also used by events such as fun fares, rowing regattas and circuses.

"I have also seen sewage overflow into the river at the end of Blind Lane in Evesham. I think this goes to show that unless a substantial amount of work is done on the sewerage system in this area the additional load caused by this large development will only make matters worse."

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water, who manage the sewage in the area, promised to clean up the area on Wednesday said: "We’ve been out to check Crown Meadow and found some sewer flooding which we think this is due to the river flooding into our sewers and overwhelming them.

We’re really sorry for this - we will of course investigate thoroughly and we’ll be back to do a full clean up of the area affected on Wednesday (January 3.)"