MATCHBOROUGH residents who have illegally obstructed a watercourse have been told they could face a £5,000 fine.

Current and previous residents of Atherstone and Cosford Close have inserted culverts or pipes to take an original watercourse from the surface underground.

But the pipes can't cope with the flow of water and heavy downpours cause roads and gardens to flood.

About 10 residents have now been informed they face legal action and the case will be reported to the appropriate council committee unless they remove the pipes.

A Redditch Council spokesman said: "We are continuing to work closely with the people concerned.

"But culverting a water course, as is the case in a number of these gardens, is an illegal act.

"As the land drainage authority, we must ensure watercourses are open and obstructions, which can lead to flooding, are removed.

"We are now asking residents to agree that they will act on this before the end of the summer months."

Resident Alan Thomason said: "The council needs to talk to us so we can express our thoughts and ideas.

"There are many issues and I'm not the only one affected. My neighbours who have been here since the estate was built will have to pay to have trees uprooted."