AN underground survey has begun to pinpoint exactly where leaks are occurring from lateral drains in Stoke and St Mary Bourne.

At a village open meeting in October Southern Water explained that a camera survey down the main sewer had shown that faulty lateral drains from private homes were inundating the main sewer, causing overflow problems.

Now the chairman of the parish council, Cllr Alan Marsden, has written a letter to all households telling them about the survey and is likely to last for about three weeks. In the letter Mr Marsden says: "Once the survey is complete Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the parish council will hold an open meeting, which will identify in detail the properties concerned."

Private householders have been informed that they are legally bound to repair their faulty laterals, and contractors will be available at the meeting to give an indication of costs.