A summer of flooded and ruined gardens has led villagers in Eton Wick to team up with a variety of groups and organisations in a bid to find a long term solution.

Several homeowners who have lived by the Boveney Ditch for thirty years or more say that apart from the 2014 flood they have never seen such high levels of flow in the ditch, which is now classified as a river by the Environment Agency.

Part of the trouble has been caused by an increasing flow of treated water from the Slough Treatment Works in Chalvey.

Laura Regazzacci from the residents' organisation Eton Wick Waterways Group said: "The added problem for residents has been the proliferation of weed growth in the channel. The volume of weed has increased every summer since the release of untreated storm sewage in 2014 and is believed to be caused by high levels of nutrients in the sediment. Weed growth if left unchecked, slows down the flow resulting in higher levels of water in the river."

Some residents cleared weeds on their property but this led to weeds floating down river in clumps and to a cygnet becoming trapped and dying.

Throughout this summer Eton Wick residents have been in discussions with the Environment Agency, The Royal Borough, Eton Town Council, Eton College, Thames Water and the Thames Valley Angling Association to search for a long term solution.

In the short term, Eton College has agreed this week to clear a major section of the channel using mechanical equipment.

Mrs Regazzacci said: "Residents are grateful for this contribution and await eagerly a decrease in the very high levels experienced so far this year. The Environment Agency will be monitoring this process and will also be clearing sections of the river not covered by the college."

Meantime, The Eton Wick Waterways Group is due to meet again in September to plan a future maintenance programme.