A MAN whose home has been flooded three times in one week has slammed South Ribble Borough Council chiefs for taking almost a decade to sort out a blocked drain.

Clive Taylor, of Station Road, Bamber Bridge, was left mopping up 12ins of water after a flash flood at 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Firefighters and council workers pumped gallons of water from his property, opposite the Pear Tree pub, after two manholes covering a drainage pipe, running at the back of his house, overflowed.

It is the third time his home has been flooded since last Thursday and the sixth time in a year.

But the retired BAE Systems engineer says the problem has plagued him since 1995, when building work started on the nearby 650 property, Holland House Farm housing development, off Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale.

He believes the drains cannot take the pressure being put on them by so many houses.

And despite numerous attempts by the council to clean the drains, Mr Taylor says more needs to be done.

"They've given us floodgates but the water just comes underneath," he said. Yesterday council officers also provided sandbags for some properties in the street.

Now the father-of-one says the fear of another flood and mounting insurance premiums is making him feel suicidal.

"I feel like killing myself," said the 54-year-old. "I'm so worried because if it rains again tonight it will happen again and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

"My insurance has gone up and I'm frightened I won't get insured again.

"I've just took early retirement, finished paying off my mortgage and I've been told by the mortgage people that my house is worthless. I don't see the point anymore.

Council bosses claims the problem lies with the underground structure of the drains. Councillor Tony Pimblett, cabinet member for Street Scene, said they had been investigating the problems in the School Lane area for some time.

He said: "Unfortunately the underground drainage systems here are very old and complex needing a number of repairs before a full survey can be completed. We will clear up the area and investigate the recent problems before we can get back to the ongoing works.

"All new developments have an impact on drainage systems. It is very difficult to allocate blame and we are not willing to do so.

"When all research is complete and all interested parties are informed, we can work to develop solutions."

A spokesperson for United Utilities said : "The highways department at the local council are responsible for this issue, but we will make sure as we did on Tuesday, an engineer is sent out to the manhole to assess it again."

Mr Taylor is now considering sending his next insurance claim to the council.

Fire crews and council workers were also called out to Garden Street, Preston; Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale; the junction of Coote Lane and School Lane, Lostock Hall; Croston Road, Lostock Hall; and Blundell Lane, Penwortham.

The Met Office is predicting more heavy rain in the days to come but no severe weather warnings have been issued.