Severn Trent has admitted it could have fitted a simple valve to stop flooding in a Worcester street - but has ruled out paying residents compensation.

But angry homeowners in Waverley Street vowed to continue their fight after Severn Trent's Ian Burtenshaw broke the news yesterday.

The sewerage operations manager said work to prevent future flooding would begin early next week when flood levels are expected to have dropped.

"As soon as the level goes down we'll be putting in a valve in the sewer so that the next time the river comes up we've got a way of disconnecting the river from the sewer system," he told residents.

"If we could keep the river out of the sewer system that would solve this problem."

The sewer that passes through Waverley Street is "particularly important", but runs down the lowest point in the road.

"The system is absolutely full with river water, which means that sewage backs up through the sewers," said Mr Burtenshaw.

Raised manholes, which had not been screwed on properly, were also touted as reasons for the flooding.

Residents, who have been living without toilets or showers for more than a week, said they would pursue Severn Trent until it acted to stop future flooding.

Scared of being burgled

"We could cope with floodwater," said Jennifer Jennings, who is living in her Cavendish Street home without electricity or heating.

She said they could not cope with the sewage in their homes and vowed she would not pay her water bill.

"The only reason we're staying in our homes is because we're scared of being burgled over Christmas. We've already received bogus calls," added Mrs jennings

The street is now virtually uninsurable, and homeowners say they live in fear of further flooding.

Mr Burtenshaw refused to consider compensation, claiming the cause of the flooding was excess river water.

He told householders to contact their insurance companies.

"Help us to live," said mum Eileen Moir. "All we're doing is surviving.

"We have a human rights entitlement to family life."

Severn Trent has vowed to clean the street once the water had dropped after yesterday installing portable toilets in Cavendish Street.