PENSIONERS' lives are being put at risk by a leak which flooded a footpath on an estate in Kidderminster, forcing them to walk in the road, it has been claimed.

Irate residents say Severn Trent Water has failed to act despite repeated calls to the company since the problem on Habberley estate was first reported more than a month ago.

Graham Crumpton, of Truro Drive, said water was flowing from a manhole in the road past the side of their house, leaving two large pools of water on the pavement.

And he said elderly people at Habberley Tenants Association Club were forced to walk in the road to avoid the water, putting their lives in danger.

He said: "This has been going on for more than a month now. We first reported it to Severn Trent on Monday, April 21."

Mr Crumpton said following their first call to Severn Trent, a workman had called and marked out a blue arrow, showing where the leak was coming from.

He added: "No-one came after that for two weeks, then someone came round in a Severn Trent van, parked outside and said, 'It's OK; it's been done."

He said Severn Trent Water did eventually contact them, on Thursday, May 17 following further phone calls, to say the work was being put down as a 'new job.' But he added despite this, "nothing has happened since then."

He said: "There's great stagnant pools with toys and paper in. We keep sweeping the water away but after it's there again, it's that bad."

His wife, Elaine, said: "It's very dangerous for the elderly and for anyone. They have to step off the footpath into the road and cars come round the corner quite quickly."

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water said the company endeavoured to fix leaks of any sort "as soon as possible."

She added the problem was a special repair and was scheduled to be carried out on Tuesday. No-one had called from Severn Trent as the Shuttle went to press.