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GRATE MATES

UK’s first drainspotter photographs garden gnome next to blocked gutters in bid to secure road repairs

Grandad Bryan Gibson, 67, has so far snapped 15,000 blocked or flooded gutters

THE rain in drains drives Bryan Gibson half insane – which is why he has so far snapped 15,000 blocked or flooded gutters . . . with more in the pipeline.

And whenever he goes drainspotting he always takes his grate mate – garden gnome Cormy.

 Great mates ... Bryan and Cormy patrol Cornwall for blocked drains
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Great mates ... Bryan and Cormy patrol Cornwall for blocked drainsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Bryan, of Bodmin, Cornwall, spends days on drain patrol and when he spots a dodgy one he always puts his ornamental buddy in the photo.

The grandad of three says it all started when his car was damaged in floods caused by a blocked drain and the council wouldn’t pay his £450 repair bill.

Since then he has monitored the council’s progress and takes more photos of any drains that remain blocked.

 Drainspotting ... Bryan and Cormy are dedicated to monitoring Corwall's blocked gutters
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Drainspotting ... Bryan and Cormy are dedicated to monitoring Corwall's blocked guttersCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Bryan, 67, says: “People may think I am a nerd but it takes dedication.”

And that dedication is shared by Cormy – named after Cornwall’s road repair service Cormac.

Bryan adds: “I bought him for £1.99 and he has become an overnight legend.”

 No Kerbing this one's enthusiasm . . . Cormy at a flood
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No Kerbing this one's enthusiasm . . . Cormy at a floodCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Window silly . . . our hero’s all set to take the plunge
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Window silly . . . our hero’s all set to take the plungeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Trash flood . . . cup, fag pack, even sun shades block this drain
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Trash flood . . . cup, fag pack, even sun shades block this drainCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Gutted  . . . he’s met his match with this drain hatch
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Gutted  . . . he’s met his match with this drain hatchCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 See weed . . . but it’s not the ocean, in spite of the deluge
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See weed . . . but it’s not the ocean, in spite of the delugeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 A gnomes gutter do . . . he gets down and dirty in the name of duty
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A gnomes gutter do . . . he gets down and dirty in the name of dutyCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Hole and high water . . . Cormy risks a mighty fall
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Hole and high water . . . Cormy risks a mighty fallCredit: SWNS:South West News Service