An appeal is going out to people in Lerwick to think before they flush toilets following a spate of blockages at Scottish Water sewage pumping stations.

A spokesman said baby wipes, paper towels and other sanitary products had been jamming the system, requiring workers to manually dig out choked equipment up to twice a week.

Householders and businesses in the area, including facilities such as care homes and the hospital, are being urged to bag and bin sanitary items rather than flushing them. Blockages can occur in private plumbing, causing sewage to back up into people’s properties.

Jim Anderson of the customer services team said Scottish Water was concerned that resources were being diverted away from other work to keep on top of the problem. Further expenditure may be required to adapt the pumping stations if the issue persists.

Mr Anderson said: “The pumping stations at Rudda Park and North Taing have been particularly affected. The sanitary items we’re finding are tougher than toilet paper and don’t break down.

“We’re doing our best to keep on top of the situation but we’d rather not spend our customers’ money on this in the first place. Please think before you flush and where possible bag and bin these items.”

A “Bag It & Bin It” leaflet, available to download from scottishwater.co.uk, explains what not to flush.