WATER company United Utilities (UU) will host drop-in sessions with the community to talk about preventing and reducing sewage spills.

UU will invest £297 million into reducing spills from 47 storm overflows in Cumbria. It has already invested £45 million to improve the treatment works to reduce phosphorus levels and spills into the Windermere catchment.

The company says that it has been granted approval to invest £19 million in the next two years to reduce storm overflow operations at Elterwater pumping station, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Near Sawrey wastewater treatment works. 

A spokesperson from the company said: "People can come along and hear more about our plans and what has been done so far in a series of drop-in sessions which are being held from 10 – 5pm at Brockhole on May 23 and 24 and from 3pm – 7pm at the Marchesi Centre on May 25 and 26." 

The issue of sewage spills into Windermere and Cumbria has become a topic of debate in recent years from campaigners and MPs. 

Water companies such as United Utilities are legally allowed to spill sewage when there has been a very large amount of rainfall.