RESIDENTIAL home manager Jacqueline Wingrove fears elderly residents could fall and hurt themselves if drains outside the home are not unblocked.

Thames Water is trying to fix the problem outside Abbeyfield House, Link Road, Great Missenden, caused by heavy flooding three weeks ago, after the River Misbourne burst its banks.

But Mrs Wingrove is concerned the sewage problem is taking too long to sort out and the home is having to advise residents not to go to the Memorial Hall for coffee mornings in case they slip up.

She added: "It would be dangerous for them to walk there, we don't want 80-year-olds slipping about.

"They just need to sort it out properly. They said it would dry up eventually, but if we get more water it will just happen again."

A spokesman for Chiltern District Council said: "There seems to be no other actions that Thames Water can take at present to prevent sewers surcharging either internally or externally. The council will be monitoring progress in respect of the actions. "

Andrew Boyd, Thames Water spokesman, said: "Unfortunately the system is not designed to cope with river water. We are sorry residents are having problems and should the need arise to call us again we will help."