IT'S A dirty job but someone's got to do it.

Southern Water's Unflushables team visited the Isle of Wight this week to help prevent blockages of wet wipes, fat, oil, grease and other nasties that shouldn't be put down sinks and toilets.

Adhering to social distancing rules, the team knocked on 258 doors, and lifted more than 130 manhole covers between the pumping stations at Main Road, Ryde.

Material clogging up the pumping stations was also removed.

A spokesperson said: "We discovered three blockages which we cleared ourselves, and under nine manholes further rag, debris and clogging-material were found."

Field customer engagement officer for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at Southern Water, Matt Collins, was part of the team.

He said: "It was great to be out on the Isle of Wight, talking with customers about the work we were doing, engaging with them about blockages and how they can occur from flushing items like wet wipes and cotton pads down their loos, as well as fat, oil grease down sinks.

"As always, we'd encourage everyone to only flush the three Ps (pee, poo and paper) down the loo, and put fat, oil, and grease in the bin — not down sinks."

This October is being known by Southern Water as Unblocktober, a month-long national campaign and awareness month to improve the health of drains, sewers, watercourses and seas.

For more information visit www.unblocktober.org