Residents of the lower Ormeau area of Belfast whose homes were flooded on Friday, have called for action to ensure it never happens again.

A number of houses were damaged when drains overflowed during torrential rain.

The residents said they would hold a protest outside the offices of the Water Service on Tuesday.

The same area has been flooded several times in the past.

Thomas Lavery said his home was ruined

In Friday's flood, water and sewage rose from the drains during the heavy downpour and seeped into their homes.

Thomas Lavery, whose home was affected, said the dirt and smell was terrible.

"The house is ruined and I'm going to have to pull up the floor. The furniture is going to have to go.

"The kids have had to go and stay with their granny and the wife is not well because of it."

Michael Goodman, of Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group, said people in the area were disheartened.

"People spend a lot of time and money getting their homes into a reasonable condition and then something like this comes along.

"It has really knocked the heart out of them," he said.

Belfast Lord Mayor Alex Maskey said serious questions must now be asked of the Water Service.

The service has said it was working to resolve the problems.

Storm

John Kelly, director of operations with the Water Service, said it regretted the distress and inconvenience caused to residents.

We have replaced all four of the old pumps and we are currently about to install a large diameter sewer adjacent to that pumping station

John Kelly Water Service

"The storm that occurred just after 4 o'clock on Friday was quite widespread and covered north, west and south Belfast," he said.

"It was very localised and it was very intense. It lasted approximately 30 minutes.

"As soon as the storm occurred, naturally there was flooding across parts of those areas."

He said the Water Service addressed over 100 separate telephone calls from residents.

A major refurbishment programme was now taking place, he said.

"We have replaced all four of the old pumps and we are currently about to install a large diameter sewer adjacent to that pumping station."