FLOODING is making life a misery for residents of The Glen in Palacefields.

Recent heavy rain and blocked drains has caused water to flood roads and gardens.

The situation reached breaking point when last week Riverside Housing was forced to issue residents with sandbags to stop water flooding into their homes.

John Blackley, of The Glen, said: 'Outside my front door there is a water drain which is completely blocked up to the level of the manhole with mud and dirt.

'When it rains the water floods up to the level of the curb and into the garden.'

The flooding is also causing major parking problems with 60% of the communal car park being rendered useless when it becomes flooded by rainwater.

Mr Blackley added: 'The water covers parking spaces for 10-12 cars. It was only last summer that the council spent thousands relaying new surfacing on the car park. There doesn't seem much point when it is continuously flooded.'

Riverside Housing says it has been working with United Utilities and Halton Borough Council to rectify problems with the drainage system, a problem residents have been living with for two years.

A spokesperson for registered social landlord Riverside Housing said: 'We acknowledge that recent heavy rain combined with long-standing problems with drainage systems have caused flooding in The Glen.

'We sent contractors out with sandbags on Thursday night and we are looking at other appropriate action to minimise difficulties for residents.

'In the past we have helped fund improved drainage systems and we are planning to do further work in Runcorn as part of our commitment with the council and United Utilities to reduced the threat of flooding.'