ACTION has been taken to tackle flooding in a village where it was a persistent issue.

Residents of Himbleton voiced their concern over the deep water that had been flooding the roads, but now Worcestershire County Council has used a special jetter to cut through the roots which were blocking the drain, and the water has subsequently receded.

One resident said the drains had been blocked for a number of years, causing a bad smell and cars to struggle to get through the village after heavy rainfall, with the school run being particularly difficult.

Around 50 cars come into the village in the morning and the afternoon as there is a pick up point for Pershore High School and other schools.

The resident said villagers had persistently called on authorities to use specialist equipment to address the issue as there is a brook that runs through the village which often floods. But instead of the water rising and falling at the same rate as the brook, the water would come up and stay there.

Councillor Tony Miller, county council cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: “We appreciate residents’ concerns in light of recent weather across the county and subsequent flooding that has occurred. After the flooding in the village, a thorough clean-up was carried out.

“We have carried out maintenance on the drainage system in the village including the removal of roots, and the system is now running freely.

"We will continue to monitor this and a number of key locations across Worcestershire during periods of significant rainfall.”