THAMES Water has apologised to a couple from a village near Chinnor who complained that raw sewage was left in the open near their home for more than eight months.

Carolyn and Stuart Rivett, of Emmington, wrote to chief executive Martin Baggs on September 4 to complain about the problem, caused by leaking drains.

Mrs Rivett, 53, said she had finally written to Mr Baggs out of “desperation and disgust”.

The letter, seen by the Oxford Mail, said: “We have had sewage escaping from the drains in the road and the car park of the offices next door to us, since December 2013 on a daily basis.

“This leaking has been going on for years and steadily getting worse. Last year the leaks went on for four months and were then cleaned up. But this year the leaks have not stopped, even throughout the hot periods.”

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Mrs Rivett told the Mail: “It is terrible and has been dragging on all year. The leaking has been a problem for about 12 years, and we have complained so many times, but they say there is no point in them cleaning it up until the leak stops.”

Thames Water spokeswoman Sarah Sharpe said: “We’re really sorry our customers have received such poor service from us.

“This is unacceptable and to put this right we’re organising a full clean-up of the sewer and the affected ditch.”

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