A SEWAGE works is continuing to cause a number of problems for local people.

Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, was asked to find out why Marske sewage works had caused flooding on the stray and a bad smell in the air.

Mrs Baird said: "Northumbrian Water told me that flooding on the coast road came from the gravity sewer, which runs from Bydales to the Marske works.

"It appears there was heavy rain after a long dry spell and this rain flushed the sewer and caused two of the works inlet pumps to be blocked. Unfortunately Northumbrian Water was repairing other pumps and the sewage overflowed onto the coast road.

"At the same time, other repairs to the Marske works caused yet more 'off-site aromas'.

"Northumbrian Water has made a note of these complaints - but they have not given any indication that they have found a satisfactory solution to the foul smells coming from the works and I will be pressing them to get to the bottom of the problem," she said.

Alistair Baker, spokesman for Northumbrian Water, said: "The flooding was caused by pumps being blocked after a storm and it is true we were working on some of the pumps and consequently there were not as many as there may have been.

"Unfortunately the flush of water brought with it the customary materials which shouldn't be in sewers but which are frequently and that blocked the pumps.

"Although it is Northumbrian Water's responsibility to make sure its sewers are working, it would help if people didn't flush all the things that they do.

"We are well aware of the smell. The whole work has been dogged by a variety of different problems and we are doing everything we possibly can to get it working in the way it should work.

"We are trying to get to the bottom of the problems and like Vera Baird, we are anxious that we do that as soon as possible."