Burst pipe sewage spill

BIG SPILL . . . workmen deal with the burst

The force of nature has caused a major sewage pipe to burst and leak at Snipe Clough, Oldham.

Creeping tree roots have damaged the pipework beneath a copse at the side of football and recreation fields off Kings Road.

The damage led to a major leak on Sunday which has since been repaired by workmen from United Utilities.

The spillage will not lead to any weekend games being affected.

A United Utilities spokeswoman said: “The tree roots have grown into the 15in pipe, which have now been removed and the leak has been stopped.

“We are waiting for it to dry up before we can do a full clean up.

“We will probably have to reline the pipe and we will be working with Oldham Council to plan when we can do that.”