Bourne Eau waterway is choked by rubbish and reeds

A man whose home backs on to a town watercourse has spoken of fears that debris and litter will attract rats.

Ian Macmillan lives in Eastgate, Bourne, with his home overlooking the Bourne Eau.

In recent weeks the channel, which flows east from the town centre, has become clogged by reeds and rubbish.

Ian said: “One or two people have raised potential health concerns because the rubbish which is caught up will attract rats and will eventually be making its way downstream.”

He added: “Usually the Environment Agency sends some people out in a rowing boat to clear it during the year.

"They need the boat because the water is easily waist deep and the banks are slippery, but they haven’t been out recently.”

He added that heavy rain over the weekend had not helped to flush through the channel.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Work has been delayed due to weather-related incidents.

"We have now resumed our programme of works and this work will be undertaken shortly.”

Flooding hit the region after heavy rain