THE homes of some Worcestershire villagers are being connected to the main sewerage system for the first time.

Severn Trent Water is investing £1.3m in Birlingham and Lower Strensham, near Pershore, to upgrade its services.

Two miles of pipe, a pumping station and two small sewage works will be put in place to extend the current system.

Birlingham has a very old and basic sewerage system and residents of Lower Strensham are not connected to a public sewer. They use septic tanks to store their waste.

"The work will upgrade and extend the existing system in Birlingham and provide first-time sewerage for around 10 homes in Lower Strensham," said Larry Barnes, field service manager at Severn Trent Water.

"The work will end pollution problems in the villages, caused partly by the rudimentary sewerage system and the septic tanks."

A total of 26 properties in Birlingham will be reconnected to the new system and it will be extended to provide the opportunity for a further 61 homes in the village to be connected.

Villagers in Lower Strensham will also be able to decide whether to connect to the main sewer network or to stick with their septic tanks.

Work began on the project at the beginning of July and is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.

"There will be some disruption to local traffic while work is carried out," said Mr Barnes.

"But we have been and will continue to work closely with Worcestershire County Council to ensure that diversions are put in place and any disruption to traffic is kept to a minimum," he added.

The scheme forms part of a five-year programme to improve water and waste services to customers.