Severn Trent workers had a giggle when they discovered a Joker action figure causing a sewer blockage.

The unflushable item, based on the Batman villain, was found after it created a blockage in the pipes.

The figure, which had become tangled with wet wipes, was found as the character is set to hit the big screen again this week in Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.

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The water company has said the blockage was "no joke" for the customer and crews called out to clear the sewer.

Grant Mitchell, sewer blockages lead, said: "Finding the Joker was very timely with the new film coming out and the action figure making his way through our network provided us with a funny moment as it was another random item, but once again it leads to a serious message and one that we urge everyone to think about.

"Only the three P’s – pee, poo and (toilet) paper, should be flushed down the toilet and make sure that fats, oils and greases aren’t making it into our network.

"If we work together to keep our sewers and networks clear, it will have a huge benefit for everyone."

The company said the key message for everyone to remember is "be a binner, not a blocker" as waste crews at the water company managed to clear 28,782 blockages, which could have been avoided if incorrect items were not put down the toilet and sink.

Other weird and wacky things that have made their way to sewage treatment works include a Ken doll, glasses, false teeth, pieces of a garden shed, and more.

Wet wipes cause some of the biggest issues, even those that say ‘flushable’ or ‘biodegradable’ on the packaging as they don’t break down like toilet paper.

They can cause blockages that back up and see sewage flood into homes – something which is not nice for householders who also have an expensive mess to clear up.

Other items that cause issues for households include kitchen roll, cotton buds, nappies and sanitary products.

When all these are congealed together with fats, oils and greases, which also should not be put down the sink, they create fatbergs.