NEIGHBOURS in a Poole street are picking up the pieces after their homes were contaminated by floodwater containing raw sewage.

Residents of Florence Road saw water rise thigh high during the flooding of July 4. Six homes were contaminated inside and out and four cars have been written off following the devastation.

They described oily black water and stinking sewage in their homes and gardens - but neither Wessex Water nor Borough of Poole have admitted responsibility, though Wessex Water did an external clean up with disinfectant as a "gesture of good will."

Gary Reynolds, 52, was at home with his 12-year-old son and witnessed the waters rise to over a metre within about 20 minutes. His kitchen and bathroom - where sewage bubbled up in the bath - needs to be replaced.

He added: "Nobody has put their hand up and said something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Everyone seems to be fobbing it off to somebody else."

Mum-of-one Mel Jones, 43, added: "I've got a 20-month-old so the hygiene aspect is a massive concern for me. And I'm worried this is going to continue to happen. What makes me so angry is the council and Wessex Water don't seem to care. If they had cleared the drains this wouldn't have happened."

Cheryl Pipe, who has osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, woke to the devastation the following morning. "It was awful," she added. "There was residue of sewage in the hallway, into the lounge and kitchen and conservatory. The garden was completely flooded with rainwater and sewage." The 54-year-old, whose car was written off, added: "It's been a nightmare."

Belinda Queirolo, 57, who suffers from chronic ill health, said: "How are we supposed to know which drain was at fault - whatever drain it was it doesn't work and the council and Wessex Water need to find it."

Wessex Water said the problem was "believed to have been caused by a blocked gulley" which is not their responsibility. Spokesman Ian Drury added:“We realise the distress flooding has caused and have personally spoken to those affected and provided advice on where they can get help.”

A Borough of Poole spokesman said the street scene team "responded to a high volume of calls following the storm". She added: "In some cases the intense rainfall may well have exceeded the capacity of drainage systems and caused sewers to overflow. Reports on flooding incidents should be made to the Borough of Poole for further investigation.”