New fatberg discovered in east London

A blockage believed to weigh around 100 tonnes has been discovered in the sewers of east London.

The so-called "fatberg" - made up of fats, oils and greases - has been found in Whitechapel and measures around 100 metres long

Thames Water says it could take weeks to clear and are urging people to think carefully about what they're pouring down their sinks

It has been dubbed "the grandchild" of the 2017 Whitechapel fatberg, which once weighed 130 tonnes and stretched over 250 metres (820ft).

The 2017 fatberg was among the largest ever discovered in the city and a sample even went on display in the Museum of London.

Tim Davies, head of waste operations for North London at Thames Water, said the extraction of the blockage could take "weeks to complete".

He added: "This latest fatberg shows exactly what happens when fats, oils and wipes go down our drains - they don't disappear, they build up and cause serious damage.

"The cost of clearing blockages and repairing sewers runs into tens of millions of pounds every year, and that money ultimately comes from our customers."

The company sees a seasonal rise in blockages during December and January, and says clearance costs reach £2.1 million over the two-month period.

It has urged people to scrape food scraps from any dirty dishes, ensure plugholes are fitted with a strainer and avoid pouring liquid foods down the sink, such as gravy or cream.

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