A HORSE owner has called for action to be taken on a blocked drain which is causing her stables to flood every time it rains.

The problem is leaving Elizabeth Webb’s two horses standing in water overnight and, with the weather set to worsen over the coming months, she is concerned for their welfare.

Elizabeth, 68, owns two horses, which are kept in the stable near Pentylands Lane, in Highworth, where they have beenfor several years.

In an adjacent field, also used by the horses, there is a small manhole leading to a storm drain. Every time it rains the drain overflows and with the ground saturated, it flows into the stable.

“It leaves the horses standing in several inches of water whenever it rains or any water goes in,” said Elizabeth.

“It’s getting to the stage that whenever there’s any water, even someone washing their car, it starts to bubble up.

“It is getting much worse and with all the rain we’ve been having I think that is only going to continue.

“I would normally put winter rugs on them at this time of year but it is pointless because they just sit down and they get soaked through.”

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To make matters worse, one of the horses, 13-year-old Lou, has an infection in her foot which cannot be dealt with properly because of the water.

Elizabeth said: “We have had the vet out but he cannot dress it properly because of the bacteria in the water.

“Currently she is wearing a type of boot to protect the foot for at least another week.

“What it means though is she can’t go in to the field because with the mud being so wet it will just get stuck and come off.”

The blocked drain has been a problem for more than two years and investigations have been ongoing as to who is responsible for it.

Elizabeth rents the land and the agents who have been acting on behalf of the landlord say it is their understanding that as it is a storm drains then responsibility falls to the local authority.

Swindon Council is unable to confirm whether the drain was their responsibility but are looking into the matter and will be reporting back.