Human waste is spilling over a canal footpath and even being dumped in the water because a lack of facilities, boaters claim.

They said a canalside disposal point for them to empty their toilet waste has been overflowing for more than a month.

And they said unemptied bins were adding to the stink for boat owners and walkers on the Oxford Canal at Wolvercote.

British Waterways (BW) last night apologised but said boaters have made the elsan disposal point problem worse by using it during repair work.

Simon Hibbs, 34, said he was having to leave toilet waste on his deck.

He said: “The elsan has been broken for well over a month now and the bins have been constantly overflowing for the last few months.

“It is very unpleasant having it on my front deck. I pass it every day. In the summer it will be really smelly.

“I have also started burning my own rubbish which is not very environmentally friendly.”

He said he faces a three-mile wheelbarrow journey to the next elsan, and a mile trip to Waitrose or a garage to use the toilet.

The youth worker, who stays in Wolvercote about two weeks a year, said: “There have been reports of people tipping it into the canal.”

Another boater, who did not want to be named, said owners were furious as they pay up to £1,000 a year in licence fees.

She said: “They are a disgrace and no amount of complaining seems to matter.

“The elsan is overflowing with human waste and sometimes spills out onto the towpath right next to where people live and the public walk or cycle.”

Admin worker Jill Crane, who also lives on a canal boat, said: “It is disgusting and the bins are dreadful.”

The 39-year-old said: “It is a health and safety hazard. There are rats everywhere.”

British Waterways spokesman Becca Wright said “We have had some ongoing issues with the sanitary station at Wolvercote and apologise to anyone who has been affected.”

She said boaters had used it while it was being “redesigned” and repaired despite a sign urging them not to.

This had caused further problems and more work was needed as a result, she said.

Ms Wright added: “Unfortunately, due to a lack of suitable equipment, and limited staff resources, the bins are currently not being emptied as often as they previously were.

“We would like to thank users for their patience while we sort this situation out and would urge local boaters to use nearby alternative facilities.”