Bradford Council today admitted it was struggling to cope with blocked drains after torrential downpours have left homes and streets across the district flooded during the wettest August on record.

Reports of blocked gullies have more than trebled this month as the district saw 50 per cent of its average monthly rainfall pour on one day.

But householders, who have been swamped in water, today calling on the Council to do more to prevent flooding in the worst blackspots.

Munir Ahmed, of St Margaret's Road, Great Horton, said: "Every time it rains heavily, this area gets flooded but nobody seems to be interested in finding a permanent solution. The problem seems to be underneath but every time we mention it we just get told they are looking into it.

"It is so frustrating."

Heavy rain earlier this week caused a three-feet deep flood outside Mr Munir's home.

He said: "It was almost up to my knees and I couldn't even open my back door. The water was so dirty and very smelly.

"People living here are getting very angry that nothing is being done."

But blockages were not necessarily the problem, according to Damian Fisher, principal waste management officer at Bradford Council.

He said: "Our gully pans cannot take the actual volume of water we have been having recently.

"They are meant to take surface water not the monsoon-like conditions we have been experiencing in the past few weeks.

"On St Margaret Street we have identified the pipe is actually too small to take the water and our drainage department is now looking into the problem.

"We are doing all we can at the moment to respond to complaints and have increased resources to cope with extra reports of blocked drains.

"But this means we are behind on our general gully-cleaning programme across the district."

A dedicated team of six people is responsible for maintaining Bradford's 85,000 gullies each year.

Mr Fisher said: "Once the rain stops we will be able to get on with our work programme again."

To report blocked gullies contact the Council on (01274) 431000.