FLOOD victims have been told their street is to be made a "priority" for repair work after rainwater and sewage wrecked their homes.

Work to improve sewage systems in and around Spring Street, Rishton, will start in the next seven weeks and a major change to the sewage system in the Blackburn Road area of Oswaldtwistle, which should alleviate the flooding problems in nearby Thwaites Road and Wordsworth Close, is planned.

But one resident of Spring Street said today even weeks may be too long. Frank Moran lives in the street with his wife, Victoria and two step-children, Kathryn and Adam.

Their home was flooded after rain on Wednesday night and the carpets were ruined for the second time in six months.

After the last floods in May, Hyndburn Borough Council promised a full investigation in to why homes have been repeatedly flooded. After Wednesday officials said the council was responsible for the drains on the roads outside, but improvements to the sewerage system were down to United Utilities.

Mr Moran said: "We have been told about the planned work, but it could happen again in the next seven weeks. We would like someone here as soon as possible."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "Spring Street, Rishton, is having remedial work carried out within the next seven weeks.

"This involves minor works to a drop-shaft manhole to stop the flows building up when there is exceptionally heavy rain. There is a programme of remedial work all across the region to upgrade some very old systems in order for them to cope with today's increased demands. The priority is for where properties are flooded." Hyndburn councillor Ann Scaife, who lives in Spring Street, said: "If their intended plans re-live the flood problems and corrects what has been going on, then that is superb. But if the problem will be fixed just for the time being then that will not do. It should be put to right so there is no possibility of it happening again.

"This is the 21st century and we should not have sewage and rats flowing into people's homes."

Asked about flooding problems in Thwaites Road, the spokesman for United Utilities added: "Our engineers are in the early planning stages for a major investment scheme for Blackburn Road which will help the situation on Thwaites Road.

"Options to resolve the situation are being looked at at the moment by engineers and meetings being held with the head of drainage at the council.

"A scheme is expected to be in operation in the next 18 months."

When told about the proposed schemes for Rishton and Oswaldtwistle, the works manager for Hyndburn Borough Council, Peter Clegg, said: "I would welcome any improvements to the sewerage system."