Human waste and sewage left on Winchester High Street after drain blockage

Drains in the High Street had been overwhelmed by last night's heavy rainfall, leaving human excrement and tampons across the cobbles.

Disgusted shoppers walked carefully around the waste, while some had left it too late before realising they had stepped in human waste.

Winchester resident Julian White, 65, had been walking along the High Street since 7am. He said: "It's absolutely disgusting. There is poo everywhere and it stinks."

Mandy Smith, store manager of Jigsaw, said: "There is sewage and toilet tissue all down the side of the shop. Downstairs in our stockroom we have problems with drains and we can smell it. It's putting customers off from coming in."

A council spokesperson said: "Officers this morning raised an urgent request to Southern Water to attend the site to assess the situation and action any subsequent street cleansing needed. Our understanding is that officers from Southern Water are now on site."

Southern Water has been contacted for a comment.

This is the second time in six months that the High Street drains have been overwhelmed by heavy rainfall.