AFTER months of waiting, a puddle that stretches up to 20ft across a Darlington road will soon be gone, water company officials have pledged.

A drain problem on Woodlands Road - next to a bus shelter - can cause water to stretch across half the carriageway, and several complaints have been made by residents and workers who have been drenched by passing motorists.

However, Northumbrian Water will conduct a drain survey over the weekend, and put a camera into the sewer to establish the cause of the problem.

If major repair work is necessary, it will be conducted soon after, when provision has been made to prevent traffic chaos.

People in the area were pleased with the pledge to solve the problem.

A volunteer at The Samaritans, which has offices near to the puddle, said: "I am very pleased. It has been there for months, and is next to a bus stop. It has been very inconvenient, especially in bad weather."