A man who claims his house has continually flooded because of a nearby residential development has begun to picket the site.

Philip Watson and wife Susan said they lived in Chapel Lane, Heckmondwike, for 14 years before the Wainhomes development was built and the flooding began. He claims that since the development, his home has flooded for the last 15 months.

"The first time we got flooded, the water came off the Wainhomes site," said Mr Watson, who claims his home is now worthless. "Then there was a blockage outside our house in the main sewage course."

Yorkshire Water removed the blockage and it then came to light that two underground holding tanks meant to retain floodwater had not been properly installed by Wainhomes.

Mr Watson, who still has ten years of mortgage payments at £300 a month to repay, has begun to picket the site and has walked in on Wainhomes staff when they are with clients to inform them of the flooding problem.

"We will put banners on the car telling people what has happened and sit outside the office picketing," said Mr Watson. Mr Watson is appealing for a solicitor to take their case on a no- win, no -ee basis.

Bob Pickthawl, of Wainhomes, said he had had a meeting with Yorkshire Water last month about the problem.

He said: "We are working in conjunction with Yorkshire Water. The problem with flooding is off our site. It is Yorkshire Water's responsibility. They have not written to us to say they think we are a contributing factor."

He said he did not think the fact the tanks had been fitted without a hydro brake -- to slow the flow the water from the tanks -- was to blame.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "Initially there was a blockage in the sewer which we removed. The responsibility for the other issues that may be causing the problems lies with the developers and Kirklees Highways.

"Despite the fact Yorkshire Water has no control over the other issues, we are working closely with Kirklees Highways.''