A DAD has said he is worried for the health of his children because of a continuing water leak which is ‘wrecking’ his home.

Rafiq Patel, 42, of Carr Street, Blackburn, said both his front and back room walls are covered in damp and there are puddles under his floorboards.

His front yard has also had a constant stream in it for the past 12 months.

The source of the water has stumped United Utilities bosses who are continuing to investigate.

Mr Patel said his three children have taken to eating at their grandparent’s house because they cannot stand the smell.

The security worker said: “It has been going on for 12 months.

“The water is all over my footpath and it has damaged the walls inside.

“United Utilities and Blackburn with Darwen Council have been out but they do not know where the water is coming from.

“They keep on saying they are going to do this and that but we have got nowhere.

“I have just had enough of it. It absolutely stinks.

“The smell is in my main living room and I am worried it could contain sewage.

“I am really worried for the health of my kids. We are inhaling that.

“We are avoiding sitting in that room.

“If we do we spray a full bottle of air freshener before we sit down.

“We can no longer eat in there and the kids can’t take the smell so have been going to my dad’s house to eat. It is wrecking my property.”

A United Utilities spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about this re-occurring problem.

“We have previously carried out investigation work and completed some work on water pipes in this area.

“Following this action the issue stopped.

“More recently the running water has started again and we certainly want to assist our customer in finding the source of this problem.

“Our network team is going back out to complete further investigation work."