Sewage stench ruins Bucks best kept village bid

Chalfont St Giles has been forced to pull out of the Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village contest because of sewage in its river.

Its parish council decided to close areas near the River Misbourne due to water contamination levels and smell.

Parish clerk Helen Griffiths tells Tony Fisher why they took the decision.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Our region has experienced the eighth wettest winter on record, resulting in exceptionally high groundwater and river levels.

“This groundwater and river floodwater then entered our sewers and filled the Amersham storm tanks, meaning they are full and are discharging diluted wastewater into the river Misbourne, for which we are sorry. "

(Photo: Tony Fisher/BBC)