RESIDENTS and businesses in one of Hyndburn's worst-hit flood areas are considering mounting a group legal action against United Utilities.

Properties in Spring Street, Rishton, have been repeatedly flooded during heavy rainfall, and now owners say they want action.

Paul Barton, 28, says his house, which he used to let, has been left uninhabitable.

Every time it happens, sewage comes up through the kitchen sink and the downstairs bathroom and toilet, he says.

In desperation Mr Barton paid £400 to have an independent survey done to establish the cause of the flooding.

The report, done in the aftermath of a flood, found the water level had risen above his kitchen step and flooded the kitchen. Water had also been forced up the drains and flooded the downstairs bathroom.

Mr Barton rang United Utilities on Friday and gave them a week to contact him with some news.

"I was livid,"he said today. "I asked about payments for the old people but they are not interested. Enough is enough.

"I'm going to have a meeting with the companies in Spring Street and sort something out."

Peter Ingham, owner of East Lancashire Box Company, also on Spring Street, said people might have more chance of getting results if they worked together. It would be better as a group than everybody going individually - they would just fob us off.

"We have got to show our insurance brokers that we are doing something."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We sympathise but it would not be appropriate for us to comment on any possible legal action.

"I can confirm that Spring Street is high on our priority for work. Detailed investigations are underway so we can understand what has happened.

"This is a complex job and will take time but we can reassure customers that we are taking action to sort this out."

In the meantime residents in the Thwaites Road, Wordsworth Close estate in Oswaldtwistle are to meet councillors on Thursday to find out what is being done for them.

They are pushing for action after their homes were flooded six times in two years.

Councillor Jean Battle, who will be at the meeting at 2pm in the Thwaites Arms, Thwaites Road, said: "I feel so sorry for the people who have lived through this nightmare yet again, and fully understand why they are so angry.

"We share their concern and I can only reiterate that we are urgently pressing United Utilities for answers to this problem."