RESIDENTS are being invited to find out about a £350,000 scheme to tackle a flooding blackspot in Chorley.

United Utilities is to carry out work on Chelmsford Place, Collingwood Road and Letchworth Drive to help prevent homes flooding when sewers are overloaded during heavy rainfall.

An exhibition is being held tonight, Wednesday, September 29, at the Gillibrand Arms, from 6pm to 8pm, so that people can find out all about the scheme.

United Utilities contract engineer Sadik Hussain said: "This is tremendous news for those homeowners who have had the awful experience of sewer flooding."

The work involves increasing the size of the sewers so that they capture the extra flows during heavy rainfall, helping prevent the water backing up through the drains and flooding roadways and homes. In total, 350 metres of sewers will be upgraded in a scheme due to start on October 11, lasting for 16 weeks.

The three streets will be closed during construction and a diversion route will be in operation.

Mr Hussain said: "I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to the exhibition and find out all about the work.

"Representatives from United Utilities and our contractor, Balfour Beatty Utilities Ltd, will be on hand to answer any questions.

"Work on this scale is inevitably disruptive, but we will do everything we can to minimise inconvenience for residents.

"I hope local people will be patient during the work, because it will be well worth it when the scheme is completed in February."

The work forms part of a £52 million programme to tackle sewer flooding across the North West between 2000 and 2005.