CREATIVE residents have turned a flooded crater in the middle of their road into a makeshift pond after getting tired of waiting for the water company to fill it in.

A 'no fishing' sign, reeds and even flowers have been placed around the edges of the three-foot-wide hole, which has filled to overflowing with water since it was dug in Upper Walthamstow Road earlier this week.

Water from the crater has spilled over, causing a small river to gush down the hill towards Wood Street for the past two days.

Suzanne Taylor, of Upper Walthamstow Road, said the decorations had made a marked improvement to the hole.

She added: "It's brilliant.

"The hole is massive, and looks odd enough on its own, but it looks hilarious with the reeds and 'no fishing' sign next to it.

"Obviously people around here a have a good sense of humour."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "That's so funny.

"It's a bit surreal really.

"All it needs now is a couple of ducks and a few fish and it would be a proper pond."

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: "We are sorry for not completing this work sooner.

"Although residents have done a great job in improving the hole, we will treat this repair as a priority tomorrow morning."