FAMILIES in a village cul-de-sac are calling for action to stop a raw sewage leak that is bringing misery to the area.

People living in St Andrew's Place, in Westgate, are appealing to the local authorities and water company to repair a broken sewerage pipe.

Whenever there is heavy rain, a drain on the former council estate overflows, flooding the street with human sewage and filling the air with its stench.

Gardens and outbuildings at the bottom of the estate have been swamped with the sewage.

Inspectors from Durham County Council and Wear Valley District Council used a probe to locate the problem and believe the leak lies below the A689, outside the junction to the estate.

Northumbrian Water say that drains and pipes leading to a connection with the sewerage system are usually owned privately, so any repairs required will be the responsibility of property owners.

A spokesman said: "We do not believe Northumbria Water own the section concerned, but are liaising with residents and the district council to clarify ownership issues."

Wear Valley District Council owns two houses on the estate.

It has offered to have the collapsed sewer, which serves the whole estate, repaired if householders at the 12 private homes pay up to £200 each to share the cost.

But homeowners are appealing for help to sort out the problem as soon as possible then to resolve responsibility and finance issues later.

Mother-of-three Lynn Beddard said: "We cannot understand how it is our responsibility if the problem is under the road. It is not even on our estate.

"We cannot afford to pay £200, on top of council tax and water rates, and do not know if it will be covered by insurance, so need help."

Christopher and Yvonne Lee, and their daughters, Lauren, three, and Kara, five, have been worst affected, because the leak is directly outside their home and sewage has flowed into their garden.

Mr Lee said: "This work needs doing urgently. It is a danger and a health hazard, especially to the children and old people in the street.

"Lauren is prone to allergies and has had a virus problem over the past couple of weeks, though we don't know it is due to this leak, it certainly makes things worse.

"Northumbrian Water and Wear Valley should have the work done then sort out the bill later."