A pub has come under fire for sewage leak during a pathology team’s work dinner just before Christmas.

Last week staff at the Maquis of Granby, in Epsom, were praised for working through the night on Christmas Eve to fight sewage and flooding and make sure families could enjoy their dinners.

But after reading the article members of Epsom Hospital's pathology reception contacted the Epsom Guardian complaining that the sewage problem was there in early in December when they had to eat "surrounded by faeces."

They said there was a bad smell and a plumber fixing a pipe during their Christmas meal on December 6.

Team member Emeshe Grew said two other customers informed them that raw sewage was actually coming through the floor.

Ms Grew said: "As we work for the NHS, we are more than aware of this being a health and safety issue which has not at all been dealt with.

"The leak should have been dealt with or the area cordoned off and the pub should have been closed completely until the issue was fully resolved.

"Waitresses and staff were obviously then, walking through the leak to and from the kitchen whilst serving food and drinks."

Manager Craig Herbert said he had been off work, except for a few days over Christmas, following the death of his mother.

On Wednesday Mr Herbert said: "I have had this letter on my desk and I am meeting my boss today to work out some compensation.

"It’s going to cost me a lot of money but more importantly I want to keep my customers happy."

Mr Herbert said he was sympathetic but the malodorous water leak was out of their control and staff acted accordingly to shut the pub.

He said: "The first time we have any sewage problems was after their Christmas meal.

"We closed the kitchen straightaway as soon as we realised what it was.

"After that there were no real sewage problems until Christmas Eve."

Eight staff at the pub worked hard to make sure the leak was stopped and area disinfected by Christmas morning.

Mr Herbert said they had drainage system cleared twice in three weeks and the problem had not come back since.

He said he was meeting the contractor this month to find a permanent solution to stop water coming up through the drain gully inside the pub.

He said he is also waiting to hear from the council as the pipe appeared blocked from the road end, adding: "I just want to get this resolved."