TWO inches of raw sewage flooded pavements and gardens after bursting through a manhole cover.

And Hyndburn Homes, the housing association which owns the pipe, has been criticised after its emergency helpline number was down during the problem.

This meant residents had to wait almost five hours to get the problem fixed in Lancaster and Gloucester Avenue, off Queens Road, Accrington.

Hyndburn Borough Council officers had to fix the pipe as Hyndburn Homes, which manages the area’s stock of former council houses, could not be contacted.

The firm has launched an investigation into the incident - and a councillor has branded the situation unacceptable.

The main sewage pipe in Gloucester Avenue poured out two inches of sewage from 10.30am on Saturday.

It also flooded up through the kitchen sink of one home.

Coun Malcolm Pritchard and his daughter Coun Clare Pritchard, who spent all day helping residents resolve the problem, called for Hyndburn Homes to be more readily available for emergency repairs.

The pair were on the street at 10.30am when the problem first appeared and stayed until 5.30pm helping residents get in touch with the relevant authorities.

Coun Pritchard said the borough council had to used emergency powers to clear the blockage on Hyndburn Homes’ behalf at 3pm.

He said :”The stench was unbelievable and Hyndburn Homes’ so-called emergency line was down.

“They were about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. United Utilities, Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council all came but Hyndburn Homes were nowhere to be seen. If it hadn’t been for me and Clare the estate would have been in a right pickle.”

Resident Margaret Wolstenholme, 56, who lives in Gloucester Avenue said: “It took ages to find someone who was willing to clear it all up.

“There was sewage flowing past the back and the front of my house, so whatever way you went, you had to go through it.

“It was so bad that the paving stones became wobbly like they were floating.

“The councillors were here all day calling all their contacts trying to get it cleared up for us.”

A spokesman from United Utilies confirmed that its staff had been unable to make repairs to the privately owned pipe without the landlord’s permission, but that they had advised Coun Pritchard on the repairs needed.

A spokeswoman for Hyndburn Homes said: “An investigation into this matter is currently ongoing.”