Village cursed by plague of flies

Severn Trent Water has apologised to residents of a village hit by a plague of flies from its local sewage works. The Sylvicola larvae are routinely used at the treatment plant in Spondon near Derby to break down the raw sewage - but don't usually get to hatch.

This year's early spring meant they reached adulthood before they could be killed off, causing havoc for the locals. "We did get it wrong on this one - and we apologise," said a Severn Trent spokesman, who stressed that the flies were not dangerous. "They do not bite and are not a health risk. They should have gone now as they do not live very long."