A burst water pipe has been leaking dirty rain water into the garden of an elderly couple for two-and-a-half years.

Teresa Hoyle’s garden in Manor Road, Woodford Bridge, has been constantly flooding, with water running down from an overflowing manhole cover in the main road.

The stagnant water, which covers the 40ft garden, has killed flowers and trees and the couple have to walk through it to get out of their house.

Mrs Hoyle has to take her 81-year-old husband, Richard, to hospital three times a week for dialysis for his liver failure following being diagnosed with cancer.

The 71-year-old said: “It is like a horrible issue that is hanging over me and my husband and I do not even like opening the front door.

“I am getting depressed about it, and keep waking up during the night as it is really getting to me."

Essex County Council has been contacted for comment.

For more on this story see this week's Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - out on Thursday.