A RETIRED couple in Beaconsfield found raw sewage flowing through their garden stream for the second time in almost a year.

The couple, who do not wish to be named, woke up on Friday morning to find the sewage in a stream among rare plants at their house, off the A40.

The 68-year-old woman said: "The stream is more than six inches deep and is running with raw sewage.

"There is no mistaking what it is.

"I have a collection of rare plants and I am worried about them.

"After it has gone it is unbelievable.

"We will still have the sewage residue still in the stream."

The couple are also worried for children who play in the garden and in woods nearby.

She said: "It is a health issue.

"We are worried for when our grandchildren come.

"The stream is always an attraction for a kid."

This is not the first time that this has happened.

Last summer a blocked drain flooded their stream.

They say the problem has been caused by two drains at the top of Beaconsfield Hill.

One drain carries waste away from houses and restaurants in the area.

Another drain carries a stream under the A40.

However, they both have the same grate.

The couple say that when the service drain becomes blocked sewage flows into the stream.

It is eventually carried through their garden.

Andrew Thomas, a spokesman for Thames Water said: "We have been there today and we have cleared it.

"This blockage was caused by fat and grease build up.

"It is a particular problem across our region and it is added to by places like fast food outlets and over time it will become blocked up.

"We can only prevail upon people not to put grease down the drain."

The spokesman added that they would be doing some work with close circuit TV cameras to inspect the drain.