FLOOD-hit residents in Worcester's Waverley Street and Diglis Lane were today being given the chance to confront Severn Trent bosses about sewage swamping their homes.

Coun Nazrul Islam, who represents the All Saints' ward, set up a face-to-face meeting between the water company's Ian Birtenshaw and angry householders.

The showdown was due to take place in Waverley Street at noon.

Mary Dhonau, whose house has been swamped with sewage twice in the past month, said householders would demand answers.

"Ian Birtenshaw rang me at 3pm yesterday and asked if he could offer some cleaning up," she said.

"I mean, what planet is he on? It just shows how out of touch Severn Trent are.

"How can we stage a clear-up when we've got several feet of water in our houses and raw sewage creeping up to the back doors?

"People have lost everything. My toilet has become a public convenience because no one else in the street can use theirs and we're worried the pressure of the water will affect our foundations and our houses will collapse.

"We're sick of it, and we'll get some answers."

She said residents - who yesterday appeared on GMTV - were ready to "floor" Mr Birtenshaw, who promised a portable toilet would be delivered to Cavendish Street later today.

"Can you believe he's sending us that?" said Mrs Dhonau. "It beggars belief.

"We'll be asking him why he hasn't had the decency to reply to our 48-strong petition, or any of the rest of our letters, and will be presenting him with a letter he can't ignore.

"And we'll be asking him whether Severn Trent is going to make a major investment in the area.

"At the moment, all they're saying is they'll put in two-way valves which aren't enough.

Underlying problems

"We're so angry. He's not going to get an easy ride, I can tell you."

Severn Trent spokesman Steve Hodgson said the company was in daily contact with Waverley Street residents.

But he could not expand on the issues Mr Birtenshaw would be raising today.

"Yes, there are underlying problems in Waverley Street which we've seen twice in the past month," he said.

"But the fact remains, the sewers aren't there to deal with river floodwater.

"We need to look at the underlying cause of the problem and put in the right solution. That won't happen overnight."