MANY people hate the rain - but one elderly Brandlesholme resident has more reason than most to grumble about bad weather.

For Joan Fitton is virtually trapped in her own house whenever there is heavy rainfall.

Large pools of water form outside her home in Holme Avenue every time it pours down. The problem has become so severe that she has often been forced to cancel engagements because she cannot leave her home.

And Mrs Fitton, who is 79 years old, has even had to climb over her neighbour's fence to get out.

She has also received complaints from the postman, who cannot reach her house to deliver letters.

She said: "The situation is terrible, and I feel like a prisoner in my own home. It's very demoralising. I have to tell people that I can't go to see them, and they think I'm exaggerating until they see for themselves how bad the flooding is. There are five steps in my garden leading to the house, and the water often reaches the second step.

"I have arthritis and problems with my eyesight, so getting out can be difficult anyway, without this. If I did go out, I'd end up soaking wet as soon as I stepped into the street."

But Mrs Fitton, who has two daughters, four granddaughters and two grandsons, isn't the only person to be affected by the flooding.

Mrs Fitton believes the problem has been made worse by the construction of a housing estate nearby, which she says leaves the road full of dirt and grit. She said: "The road seems to slope downwards and so whenever it rains, the water slides down the road to the front of my house. I've lived here for 21 years, but the problem has never been this bad. Forecasters are saying this winter will be very cold, and I'm dreading going outside if the water in the road freezes. It will be so dangerous."

Although Bury Council staff drain the water whenever Mrs Fitton or her neighbours complain, she wants them to do something to permanently stop the flooding.

Mrs Fitton said: "The council have been really good in getting rid of the water when we tell them it's there, but it's a waste of their time and money having to come here all the time. Something needs to be done to stop the flooding altogether.

"Every time it rains a lot, there's a lake outside my house."

Ian Crook, manager of the council's highway network services, said: "I understand that the highway has been pumped off in the past and does flood occasionally. The issue is the gullies - the existing ones are called side entry and these are now partially blocked due to past road resurfacing reducing the kerb height and thus the area for water to enter the gully.

"This is further compounded at this time of year by leaf fall which blocks many gullies.

"They are on a list to be replaced with conventional gullies and grates which is scheduled to be undertaken.

He added: "The issue of the new development should not make any difference unless they are dumping mud on the highway which silts the gullies.

"We have had no problems of this kind reported."