The clean-up of raw sewage on Mitcham Common will start today, more than a week after it was first reported.

Parts of Mitcham Common near Walton Way have been submerged for more than a week in several inches of dirty-looking water after a blockage in the sewer meant waste was pouring out of a manhole at the edge of the field.

Raw sewage pumps onto Mitcham Common - again

There have been reports the sewage covers about an acre of common land.

A Thames Water spokeswoman said: "Work on the clean-up will be starting today and is likely to go on until Thursday."

Pollards Hill ward councillor Martin Whelton said: "It is unacceptable people have had to wait so long.

"It is not the first time services from Thames Water have been a cause for concern for people in the local area.

"It looks a mess."

He added it had caused a huge inconvenience to neighbours.

The company apologised for the delay in acting last week and sent staff down to the common to investigate.

The spokeswoman said the flooding was caused by a blockage in the sewer which they removed on Thursday.

She said the area was fenced off while a thorough clean-up was arranged. They had to wait for some water to drain away before work could start, the spokeswoman added.

It is not the first time Mitcham Common neighbours have had to endure raw sewage problems.

In May last year people were disturbed by County Clean Environmental Services tankers pumping out sewage from Windmill Road, at the junction with Commonside East after a suspected sewer blockage.

Thames Water apologised at the time to anyone affected by the work.