RESIDENTS of a new housing estate are kicking up a stink after developers failed to connect them to the mains sewage system.

Several times a day, a sewage wagon drives through the upmarket Oakland Lodge estate, Darlington, to pump out waste from the drains outside those homes which have not yet been connected.

The houses, which are for sale for about £100,000, are described by the developer Persimmon Homes, as "quality family homes".

Resident Linda Noble, 37, said: "The smell is disgusting. We have to put up with the poo wagon driving around our homes up to four times a day.

"We were never told that we were not connected to the main system and there is a constant putrid smell.

"If I had known about the problem there is no way I would have signed on the dotted line, I just wouldn't have moved in."

Linda and her husband, Chris, 38, moved to Heartington Way on the estate seven months ago. They have four children,Rebecca, ten, Michael, eight, Katie, two, and baby Megan.

The family bought the four-bedroomed detached property for £105,000 and were delighted when they first moved in. But it was early one Sunday morning when they were woken by the noise - and disgusting smell - of the waste truck.

Mrs Noble said: "It was seven o'clock in the morning when the sewage truck started pumping out the waste on our doorstep.

"The smell was overwhelming and I had to run around the house closing the windows.

"When we hear the truck coming I bring the children in the house and stop them playing in the garden.

"We don't know what they could catch. It is a horrible situation to be in."

Jeff Fairburn, managing director of Persimmon Homes, said: "We have every sympathy for residents, unfortunately, this matter has been very much out of our control.

"The problem affects owners on the final phase of the development.

"Their connection to the main sewer has to go across local authority land and we have been diligently seeking permission from them for the work to be carried out."

Mr Fairburn added: "The good news for everyone is that planning has been granted and work will commence shortly."