A giant fatberg has been found blocking a sewer in a Devon seaside town.
The 64-metre-long mass of hardened fat, oil, wet wipes, sanitary towels and nappies is bigger than Nelson’s Column.
It was discovered in drains in Sidmouth.
Images of the sewer show the sheer size of the fatberg that will take around eight weeks to remove.
South West Water’s director of wastewater, Andrew Roantree said: “It shows how this key environmental issue is not just facing the UK’s cities, but right here in our coastal towns.
“It is the largest discovered in our service history and will take our sewer team around eight weeks to dissect this monster in exceptionally challenging work conditions.”
He added: "If you keep just one new year's resolution this year, let it be not to pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain, or flush wet wipes down the loo. The consequences can be significant, including sewer flooding in your own home.
"Put your pipes on a diet and don't feed the fatberg."
South West Water has assured the public there is no risk to bathing waters in the seaside town, and work to remove the blockage is due to start on February 4.
In 2017, a 250-metre-long fatberg was found in sewers beneath Whitechapel, east London.
A chunk of that blockage later went on display at the Museum of London.
Additional reporting by PA.
