YORKSHIRE Water customers are urged to think about what they put down their toilets and sinks after figures revealed a million-pound problem across the region.

The Bradford-based firm said thousands of items like nappies, sanitary products, wet wipes, and cotton wool buds have to be removed from waste water entering treatment works.

This issue costs thousands of pounds to deal with, and can cause pollution or flooding if toilet-related litter gets into the rivers and watercourses.

The company is also aiming to raise awareness of the damage caused by fats, oils and greases being poured down the sink, which create blockages when they cool down and congeal.

George Kotschy, of Yorkshire Water, said: “It’s all too easy to get rid of items by putting them down the loo, but we want customers to think before they flush.”