Within hours of workmen finishing a massive clean up job in Stewart Avenue, the drain blocked again.

This time sewage came up through the tarmac and poured down the centre of the street.

Last week the Journal and Gazette revealed how furious residents had to fight to get the mess cleared up after a waterfall of sewage spewed into gardens.

West Lothian Council finally admitted the problem was theirs and sent a squad of staff in to dig over gardens and clean homes.

But within hours the problem was back, and worse than ever.

Mary McIvor, who lives at number 44, said: ''It's all cleared up now, but it took Thursday and Friday to get it done. They were still arguing over whose pipe it was, Scottish Water's or West Lothian Council's, just like last week.

''They had finished clearing up my garden on Tuesday of last week and by Thursday it was back again, this time coming up through the tarmac.

''I'm really unhappy with the council. They may get awards for being the best council, but then this happens. They made the mess in the first place by not fixing it properly the first time, I've told them that I am not happy with it. Thankfully it seems to be fixed now.''

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: "The causes behind the drainage problems in Stewart Avenue were more complex than first anticipated, which resulted in several attempts to fully repair the damage to the sewer.

"Specialist teams from West Lothian Council and Scottish Water have visited the site on several occasions and we are confident that the problems have now been rectified.

"The blockage was caused by debris being deliberately placed inside one of the sewage drains. Specialised equipment was used to unblock the drain and all areas affected were cleaned with disinfectant.

"Further assessment was required of the car parking area and necessary repairs have been carried out to the tarmac.

"We would like to thank the residents of Stewart Avenue for their patience in the past week."

jackie.mitchell@journalandgazette.co.uk