A major housebuilder has warned residents on an Ashby estate that sewage overflowing into homes - and a possible 'major pollution event' - could happen after items flushed down toilets caused a nearby pumping station to fail.

David Wilson Homes has written to people living on the Ivanhoe Fields development off Smisby Road and said there could be serious consequences if 'foreign objects' continue to be disposed of in people's toilets instead of in rubbish bins.

The developer explained that there were major issues with the pumping station on the estate on the weekend of July 11-12.

A letter to householders explained that both the main and backup pump failed - and the reason was the 'high level' of offending objects that had been flushed down the toliets.

But the letter went on to say that continued blocks may see sewage overflowing into people's homes.

It also says another pumping station failing could cause 'a major pollution event downstream of the nearby watercourse - likely to mean Gilwiskaw Brook which flows into Ashby and Packington.

The letter came from David Wilson Homes East Midlands - a trading name of BDW Ltd.

It read: "We have been experiencing major issues with the pumping station on the development.

"There was a significant failure of both the main and back up pump on the weekend of July 11-12.

"Our contractor has confirmed that the main reason for the failure is the high level of foreign objects within the storage chamber that have been flushed down toilets.

"These include items such as 'flushable' wipes, nappies and sanitary towels.

"The pumps are not designed to cope with objects of this nature.

"While wipes in particular are physically flushable, they do not break down like paper. They wrap around the impellor/motors causing damage and stopping the pumps from working."

David Wilson Home has urged people on the estate to think about what they are disposing of in the toilet.

The letter continues: "We ask that you dispose of these items responsibly in your rubbish bins.

"Not doing so could lead to an overflow of sewage within your home and on the development.

"With the pumping station being so close to the watercourse, significant failure of could lead to a major pollution event downstream.

"Please will you ensure that all family members are aware of the consequences of continuing to flush items of this type.

"We appreciate that this does not affect all residents, but as a matter of course, we thought it necessary to contact the whole development."