'Monkey' urges fat free festivity

Christmas cooks are urged to dispose of turkey fat in the bin

A comic character is issuing a fat-free festivities plea to Christmas cooks across the north-east of England.

Northumbrian Water has created "Chips the Grease Monkey" to drive home the message that turkey fat should be disposed of correctly.

The company says that pouring it down the sink can lead to blocked drains, which can lead to flooding.

People are asked to allow fat or grease to solidify and then dispose of it in the bin.

Alternatively, it can be fed to birds, for a high-energy winter treat.

When fat, hot or cold, is poured down sinks and drains it solidifies and builds up in the sewers, leading to blockages, which can homes and gardens to be flooded.

Nearly one third of all sewer flooding is caused by fat and grease being put down the sink, and an estimated 25% more fat ends up in drains and sewers over the Christmas period.

The cost of cleaning grease at one of Northumbrian Water's big sewage treatment works is about £50,000 a year, and the company maintains hundreds of them, as well as almost 10,000 miles (15,500km) of sewers.