SCOTTISH Water bosses have shut Ashton Place in Gourock following emergency works to a burst sewer pipe.

A spokesperson said: "A combination of surcharging, external flooding and lifting of Tarmac has led to the decision to close Ashton Place to all traffic immediately as it is not safe to drive on.

"Our contractor Clancy has managed to dig down to the damaged section of sewer pipe and stopped untreated waste water from leaking into the local environment.

"The actual repair and reinstatement of the damaged section will take some time.

"We are working as fast and as safely as we can to resolve the issue."