Essex people are being warned to be very careful about what they flush away after Anglian Water had to clear up a garden flooded with sewage just days before it was to host a wedding reception.

Anglian Water says it is costing millions to unblock piping clogged with things that should not be disposed of in toilets such as disposable nappies, tights, incontinence pads and even condoms.

But they say many problems and big repair bills can be avoided by sealing such items in a bag and putting them in the waste bin, instead of down the toilet.

Some pipes are less than four inches wide and clog easily.

Anglian Water spokeswoman Trish Tweddle said the most serious incident recently happened in Suffolk when a sewage system clogged with disposable nappies overflowed into a neighbouring garden.

The incident happened two days before the garden was to be used for a wedding.

"It was most unpleasant. A little care by users could prevent these occurrences," she said.

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