Hundreds of people flooded in the recent downpours are being "badly let down" by agencies unwilling to take responsibility for prevention according to Twickenham's MP.

Frustrated residents have contacted Vincent Cable MP after July's flooding after many had seen their homes sluiced with sewage.

One Lincoln Avenue resident, Brian Adams, said his street was regularly flooded and four weeks after the last big flood, his wife was still finding tampons in their garden.

He said: "It happens three or four times a year. Last month it was around 3ft deep.

"The problem is the cross contamination of the rainwater - we get raw sewage in our gardens."

He added two residents in the Twickenham street had sewage seep into their homes, permeating foundations and leaving behind a foul stench.

Cars travelling along the road also create bow waves which drive the sewage further into homes.

Residents in the street have been watching this week's rainclouds with trepidation. He added: "If it looks like rain you have to run out and move your cars - then you get parking tickets."

Despite contacting Thames Water two years ago about the recurring problem, Mr Adams said the flooding problem was getting worse. "They have said they're going to have a complete review of the drainage system, but what that means is anybody's guess," he said.

Dr Cable added: "I have, in the last few weeks, asked Thames Water to investigate a whole series of bad flooding episodes. In each case the residents were frustrated by the unwillingness of any agency to take responsibility."

The MP believes the standard of drain maintainance has fallen following water privatisation 20 years ago.

He said: "Prior to that time, Thames Water were required to employ the local council as agents to keep the drainage system clear.

"Subsequently they were free to drop the arrangement and did so.

"As a result, the standard of maintenance has fallen.

"I am trying, with the council, to get Thames Water round a table to talk about their responsibilities.

"I am meeting also the Environment Agency which is responsible for river flooding but often isn't informed about worse flooding due to drain blockages".

A Thames Water spokesman said: "We have already written to all customers who reported sewer flooding to us so we can collect information as quickly as possible and establish the extent and frequency of each flooding.

"All such incidents will be added to our sewer flooding database which is our primary source of information used to assess potential flood alleviation schemes and future investment."

The Government last week released £20,000 to Richmond upon Thames Council to help cover uninsured losses arising from the council's response to the recent flooding.