RESIDENTS on a Trowbridge street have been told their gardens contain 'unacceptable levels' of contamination and fear they may have to pay thousands to put it right.

West Wiltshire District Council informed five concerned householders in Waterworks Road this week their properties, which were built on a former landfill site, have lead levels in the soil exceeding government guidelines.

Work will have to be carried out to rectify the problem but the council has not confirmed who will foot the bill.

Mother-of-two Jane Murley, of Waterworks Road, said: "When the original sampling was done last year we thought nothing of it because all the properties on the street were being tested.

She said: "Now we are told we have contaminated soil and I want to know who is going to pay to have it restored. There are people on this street who have struggled to sell their homes because of this I wouldn't buy a contaminated property, would you?"

A further five properties on Waterworks Road and two on neighbouring Henderson Close will undergo further sampling in the next few weeks. The two roads appear to have been the site of a 19th century landfill site before the houses were built.

A survey carried out in October 2004 revealed contamination from "heavy metals and organic compounds".

A second survey conducted in March this year confirmed the readings and residents were informed of the results by letter on Wednesday.

In the letter, district council scientific officer Christopher Burson said a one-month consultation period would now take place.

After that time, a period of three months must elapse before a remediation notice can be issued.

The notice will inform residents what work needs to be done, who is responsible for doing it and a deadline by which work must be completed.

The letter did not confirm who would be responsible for the cost of the works.

Teacher Marek Wasielewski, 26, of Waterworks Road, said: "Nobody round here wants to pay a penny for something they did not cause.

"My grandmother eats home-grown vegetables from the garden and it is disconcerting to hear the land is contaminated this is a health risk as well as a financial burden."

Town councillor Graham Hedley said any restoration cost could run into four figures. Cllr Hedley said: "I deeply sympathise with all the residents who have been affected but I'm not sure what the district council can do to help them."