WATER company United Utilities say they are hoping to remove the threat of floods as a multi-million pound sewerage upgrade looks set to begin.

The water company wants to carry out the £5m project in Moreton in a bid to stop the network becoming overloaded with rainwater during storms.

At the moment, around 70 families in the Reeds Lane area are affected when the mix of rain and sewerage backs up from the pipes and starts running into garden and houses.

But United Utilities say the new system, which is awaiting planning permission from Wirral Council, would see the creation of two pumping stations, an underground tank and bigger sewer pipes.

This will allow engineers to store the huge amounts of rainwater which falls in a short period of time, before treating it and returning it safely to the nearby River Birket.

And local residents are being asked their views and opinions on the planned works with a drop-in session planned on August 7 at Leasowe Community Centre from 12 noon until 7pm.

James Carruthers, United Utilities project coordinator, said: “Sewer flooding is an awful experience and this scheme will give peace of mind to the people who have been affected in the past.”

If the plans are approved, United Utilities have warned there will be some disruption when the work takes place between this autumn and spring 2015.

The scheme is at three locations; the rear of Tarran Way industrial estate, land off Reeds Lane and in the grounds of Clare Mount School.

Conservative councillor for Leasowe and Moreton East, Ian Lewis, lives on Reeds Lane.

He said "Those of us who live around Reeds Lane and Reedville Grove will, I'm sure, be pleased that the end of this problem is almost in sight.

"For too long, residents have lived in fear that every heavy downpour will lead to raw sewage flowing into their homes again.

"This new investment is long overdue and I hope the Planning Department will give it the green light as quickly as possible."