A DISTRAUGHT Bromsgrove couple are seeking an explanation and an apology after their cherished wildlife garden was ruined by floods.

Retired couple Mary and Simon Harrison, from Barley Mow Lane, Catshill, say that five years of work to establish an eco-system in their back garden has been wasted.

Their pond, which supported many forms of animal and plant life, has been left polluted and filled with evil-smelling mud since the flood subsided.

Mary explained that their large garden adjoins the new cemetery which is being built on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council.

A new ditch dug alongside their plot was, she claims, finished too short resulting in floodwater cascading into their garden.

An excavator has since been brought back on site to extend the ditch.

Mary said council officials who visited their garden to view the damage cannot agree who is to blame and have even resorted to sniping at each other.

"We both love wildlife and the pond was home to fish, frogs, three species of newts and various insects. Now it has all gone and all the officials do is pass the buck.

"The whole episode has made me feel ill. We are not looking for compensation, just an admission someone has made a mistake.

Councillor Dermind Gardner (Con), who is a district councillor for Catshill, said: "If the couple contact me I will be delighted to help them all I can."