PARISH councillors are trying to clear up confusion over a persistent sewage leak in Shipton-under-Wychwood.

The problem affects Trots Brook, which runs through the middle of the village, with sanitary items spotted in the stream.

The leak is thought to start around Shipton Court and a group of cottages, but efforts to pin it down have proved fruitless. The issue has become a near-permanent fixture on the agenda at council meetings, and the Environment Agency and West Oxfordshire District Council have been consulted.

Parish council vice-chairman Mike Watson said: “It is taking a long time but we don’t want to let it drop. It’s an area where children play.

“It’s an annoying and disturbing situation and doubly disturbing if nothing is done.”

Mr Watson added that the problem became apparent after the July 2007 floods, when sewage got into properties along the brook, probably because of a misconnected sewer pipe.

“There were problems 10 or 11 years ago and there were investigations by the Environment Agency but it’s not clear if remedial action was taken,” he said.

The brook runs past the home of former parish council chairman Alan Vickers.

He said: “The brook isn’t heavily polluted but I’m worried that could change – there could be a health risk.

“It’s high time something was done.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We have been to the site several times but couldn’t find a source for the leak. We have also done a mailshot.

“Until we are able to locate the source, we can’t take action. If anyone can identify the source, we’d urge them to contact us.”