A businessman and his landlord want immediate Bradford Council action to prevent offices being repeatedly swamped by water from a blocked drain.

The ground floor offices of Landmarks (UK) Ltd, of Ilkley, has been inundated with several inches of rainwater during recent downpours.

Chief executive Steve Bailey has had to make regular night time visits to the East Parade unit during downpours to check on a water pump he has hired to beat rising water levels.

The construction company’s premises have been flooded several times, resulting in ruined carpet tiles and equipment, and staff being sent home.

Furniture remained piled up on desks last week.

Mr Bailey, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, said the flooding had caused further disruption to the everyday activities of the business, as meetings with clients could not take place in the premises.

“We can’t get visitors in and I’ve been coming back every couple of hours during the night when it’s raining,” he said.

The problem, he believes, is water backing up from a nearby drain, which then surges out of a manhole in the rear yard of the building.

Bradford Council’s Principal Drainage Engineer, Tony Poole, said: “This problem has been reported to us and we shall be investigating in order to identify a solution.”