THIS was the dramatic scene as motorists returned to their parked cars to find them submerged in two feet of water.

But car owners in North Lanarkshire weren't experiencing the floods that have ravaged parts of England for months.

They say it's been happening regularly for years - and they're sick of it.

The problem centres on drains in Cairnhill Road near Airdrie train station which can't cope with heavy rain and can cause water levels to rise in minutes.

Cars end up flooded with raw sewage.

But North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Water can't agree about who is responsible. Council chiefs have blamed the rising water levels on an ageing sewer system they say needs replaced but Scottish Water has so far refused to accept liability.

Janice Bell a PA from Airdrie, parks her Fiat Punto next to the station every day, close to her sister's home.

She says water levels have risen about a dozen times in the past few months, but the latest incident - when the water inside her car reached the windows - is one of the worst she's experienced. She said: "The car park at the station is always mobbed in the morning so I always park in Cairnhill Road.

"My sister called me at 3.30pm on Friday to tell me my car was flooded.

"It was right up to the window. I was gutted; the water is full of sewage.

"Everyone is sick and tired of the situation."

She added: "When I took my car to be valeted they asked me if I'd driven it into Loch Lomond.

"It cost me £70 to get the car cleaned and it still smells of sewage. It was immaculate before.

"The CD player isn't working now either."

Graham Mackay, head of roads at North Lanarkshire Council, said the council was aware of the problem.

He added: "Part of the problem is caused by the fact that the road drainage flows into the sewers.

"The council has been in contact with Scottish Water to ask that the drains are cleared and a regular programme of maintenance is established.

"We have also asked for a sewer upgrade be considered."

A spokesman for Scottish Water said: "We are aware of the recent flooding issues at this site and have carried out several inspections to identify whether the problem may be linked to our sewers.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and will liaise with North Lanarkshire Council to ensure they are also taking the necessary steps to investigate whether the problem may be linked to blockages in their gullies."