YORKSHIRE Water were praised today after clearing raw sewage from the centre of Highburton.
An emergency team carried out rapid repairs after residents complained about raw sewage seeping out of a road gully drain at Town Gate.
Their efforts were praised by Derek Hardcastle, a Green Party parish councillor.
He said: "This incident was reported to us by a resident when the Green Party team were calling round on Sunday.
"I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was awful.
"The stench was terrible and the sewage was running down the hill and being spread about by cars.
"But all credit to Yorkshire Water. I immediately reported it to Yorkshire Water's emergency line to get someone out to attend to it and they did just that.
"There was an immediate public health issue, but also a strong reminder that we need to improve the infrastructure of our towns and villages to prevent incidents such as this."
A YW spokesman said there had been a blockage in the sewer system which had been traced and repaired.
