Henderson Close in Trowbridge was built on a former landfill siteWORKS to test for possible contamination underneath homes built on a former Trowbridge landfill site will start later this month.

West Wiltshire District Council contractors will drill in gardens in Waterworks Road and Henderson Close on October 25 and 26 to see if any material dumped in the 1800s pose a health risk.

Town and district councillor Jeff Osborn said: "As I understand it all the locals are happy for the investigation to proceed.

"It is hoped this can take place without too much disturbance, and that we can know the outcome as soon as possible.

"Until this is known it is impossible to discuss the next steps."

Residents in up to 40 homes were told of the possible contamination in letters sent out by the council in July.

The council will drill 11 holes for sample testing in every garden, each hole measuring 3in across by 3m deep.

Andrea Cole, who has lived in Waterworks Road for three years, said: "Our house was built in 1901, and they have only just detected a problem. Now they want to come and dig up people's gardens.

"There must be something they are worried about otherwise they wouldn't do it."

A council spokesman said the work is being done because of a change in legislation meaning the council has to actively look at the whole district to identify possible contamination, rather than dealing with problems if they arise.

The Victorian homes are built on the site of a former brick and tile works. After they closed in the 19th century, one of the pits continued to be used as a dump.

Council spokesman Louise Knox said: "The outcome could be any one of a thousand things. There could be no problem at all or there could be a major problem. We hope it is the former."