RESIDENTS found themselves trapped in their homes as a river of sewage flowed past their doors, triggered by torrential rain.

Fed-up residents in Skinningrove, say it is the nineteenth time since March last year that raw human waste has poured out of a manhole - the weight of water lifting the manhole cover into the air.

Mill Lane resident Bill Hewison said: "Think of what you will find in a sewer and we have got it here; tampons, the lot.

"It is flowing down the middle of the road and both gutters are full. We cannot get out of our houses.

" People cannot walk along the footpath without getting splashed. A bus has just gone through and sewage must have splashed 18in up its side."

About 12 bungalows were cut off as sewage flooded out of a sewer in Mill Lane, in the village, on Wednesday.

Northumbrian Water said it was working on the problem.

A spokeswoman said: "We are aware there is an issue with the sewers and the network serving the area. We are carrying out a feasibility study looking at the sewers and will hopefully get a result in the summer.

"We have attended the site. Obviously the sheer amount of water - it's very heavy rain - has contributed to the problem. We will carry out a necessary clean-up and assist customers where we can."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor Val Miller said: "I am absolutely gobsmacked. It is like a waterfall, with the manhole cover dancing on the water about three inches off the ground."