VOLUNTEER flood wardens for Melksham Without Parish Council were called out to unblock a stream at Whitley after someone dumped a load of windfall apples and hedge cuttings.

The apples and cuttings blocked water running through and led to fears of potential flooding. Two of the emergency group were called out on Tuesday by a concerned resident.

A local householder raised concerns about the potential for flooding should a nearby 12-inch diameter culvert become blocked.

A Melksham Without Parish Council spokesman said: “The apples were half a metre deep in the stream. It looked as if someone further up had deliberately dumped all their windfalls.

The debris took them an hour-and-a-half to clear and nearly filled two wheelie bins.

“Please can we ask you to be careful to keep all garden waste out of ditches and watercourses - there are narrow places downstream from you that will block very easily.”