South West Water will be told it has to provide weekly updates about solutions to the nightmare problem of sewage flooding at a Kingsteignton housing development.

Residents in River Close, a new project at Hackney Lane, have experienced troubles ever since the first properties were occupied a year ago.

Gardens and roads have regularly been contaminated after manhole covers were blown and untreated waste has bubbled up in sinks and baths.

The episodes tend to follow periods of heavy rain.

But despite repeated complaints no strategy for resolving the issue has been arrived at.

Towards the end of last year, having been frustrated by the lack of action, Kingsteignton Town Council wrote strongly worded letters to those parties it saw as being responsible.

On Wednesday evening, clerk Carol Lakin updated members saying that Sovereign Housing Association had replied.

They said the fault was due to a 'hydraulic overload' of the sewage system but had been advised by South West Water that it had 'no plans to upgrade'.

'We are unable to carry out any direct works,' the group said as it did not own the pipework.

Mrs Lakin also reported South West Water's response which, essentially, said that consultants were working on the matter but no plan had yet been devised.

That was not good enough for members, who demanded action.

Cllr Keith Howard said: 'We should be vigilant and not relax the pressure on any of these bodies. the residents of River Close have got a dreadful problem.'

Cllr Joan Lambert demanded a weekly update from the water company. When that call was questioned by Cllr Anne Lonsdale, who thought monthly was sufficient, she reacted angrily.

'No,' she snapped. 'They have got a duty of care and that should be taken into account.'

Mayor Cllr Beryl Austen agreed and said it was 'reasonable' to expect weekly updates.

With that members voted to formally approach South West Water with their demand.