Blocked drains and gullies across Bradford on Avon are causing residents to worry about flash flooding.

With the weather taking a turn for the worse and falling leaves adding to the blockages, people are concerned the water will have nowhere to go.

John Baxter, 64, who has lived in the town for the past four years, said: “It has got worse from this summer onwards. It has been ongoing and the warm weather has made things sprout.

“I have seen it in different areas of Bradford on Avon. People have noticed it. It is not just in this town, you can see it in other towns.

“Winsley Road has some of the worst offenders. I go to church in Winsley and have seen flooding taking place along that area where water has been lifted out of the drains.

“My primary worry is future flooding. Flash flooding is occurring on a more frequent basis. I am not saying we are going to prevent that, but at least if we have got water down some of the drains, it provides more area in which to disperse it. That is the key.

“It is just not being done and people have noticed it.”

Retired Mr Baxter, who has worked in local government all his life, said he would like to see a programme for regular gully cleaning.

“The next thing we will get it is leaves coming down,” he added.

“If they did a programme initially on the main roads to clear every single gully sprouting this summer’s weeds, that would be a start.

“And to react to people letting them know of problems that are occurring. I think they are overwhelmed with these things. They haven’t got the staff to pick it up and pass it on. That is the problem.”

It is not just Bradford on Avon residents that are fed up.

“Since the recent flash floods a few weeks ago my phone and email has been red hot with reports of drains that Wiltshire Council have failed to clear,” said Wiltshire councillor Terry Chivers, who represents Melksham Without North.

“Both I and residents have taken pictures, that clearly show these drains haven't been cleared this year in fact I would suggest for several years.

“I was most grateful to the officers of Wiltshire Council who arranged for a tanker to work all over the weekend to clear most of the offending drains, but we still have blocked drains that are in urgent need of clearing.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: "Our contractors have doubled the number of gully tankers provided to ensure all the council’s gullies are emptied at the earliest opportunity.

"We will continue to prioritise extra gulley emptying to manage any potential flooding issues”