Ladder dumped in sewer 'largest item ever found'

A ladder had to be removed from a sewer before it caused a "severe blockage" in the network, a utilities provider has said.

Yorkshire Water said the extending ladder was found in Dewsbury by its field workers after it was thrown down a manhole.

A spokesperson said large items being inappropriately disposed of in the sewage network could lead to flooding in roads, gardens and houses.

Matthew Hughes, regional operations manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "Our teams clear blockages in our network every day and have seen all manner of unsuitable items, from knives to boots, but an extension ladder is definitely one of the largest items we've removed."

He added: "It's important that people realise that there are consequences to using manholes as bins to throw away unwanted items."

A steering wheel lock and caravan towing mirrors were among the items found by Yorkshire Water in a sewer in Hull earlier this year.

An engine cover was also found blocking one of the city's sewers, resulting in sewage flooding into gardens.

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