A HUGE tree that has fallen across a brook has triggered fears that scores of homes could be flooded on a Chandler's Ford estate.

The warning has come from Test Valley councillor Alan Dowden, who has called for neighbouring Eastleigh council to take immediate action to remove it.

It was about a month ago that it was brought to Councillor Dowden's attention that the tree had fallen into a tributary of the Monks Brook in the Shannon Way area of Valley Park.

He reported it to Test Valley but was told that as it was over the border it was Easteligh council's responsibility.

However, Cllr Dowden said: "Instead of it being taken it away it was sawn up in about six huge pieces and left lying in the stream."

He says that the waterway has become silted up with unsightly debris, including old plastic bottles and driftwood.

"It is all becoming one smelly mess," he added.

He is also concerned that the stream will become badly blocked and this will lead to flooding, adding: "Luckily we have not had the heavy rainfall that we have had in the past or else we could have had a big flooding problem affecting more than 100 homes."

Cllr Dowden is also concerned that the deep water building up around the logs could pose a danger.

He said: "A child could drown if they were to slide into what is now water about 8ft deep.

"Surely an organisation as big as Eastleigh should be able to get heavy lifting gear to remove the logs."

A spokesman for Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed that the authority was aware of the problem. He said: "The council is currently arranging for specialist equipment to be brought in to remove the logs."