LINKS between babies being struck down with a tummy bug and repairs to a sewer pipe have been dismissed.

Severn Trent Water is carrying out 15 weeks' emergency work on a collapsed sewer in Kidderminster's Marlpool Lane.

Last month two tots less than a year old, who live on the street and go to Mayfield House Kindergarten, also on Marlpool Lane, were ill after they contracted the rotovirus stomach bug.

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water claimed Wyre Forest District Council had assured the company there was "no link whatsoever".

But kindergarten principal Heidi Munday said: "Two of our children had a tummy bug. The parents felt it was caused by the roadworks.

"They were quite poorly - they were away for well over a week."

Rob Key, head of environmental health at the district council, said he could not rule out any connection.

But he added: "It seems most unlikely that any illnesses come from these works. We're satisfied that there's no major risk to public health."

The whole of Marlpool Lane will be closed to traffic until the beginning of October after several collapses on a sewer were discovered.

Residents with queries can contact Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444.