The liquid has been flowing out near a footpath in Scot's Garden at Bakewell, next to the town's main bridge – and several walkers and dogs have suffered ill effects.

Police have now fenced the area off and put up signs alerting people of the "raw sewage and unidentified chemicals", but the leak is yet to be repaired.

Richard Ward told the Mercury that his dog Henry suffered a bad reaction after running through the leaked sewage while out on a walk.

Mr Ward said: "He is only 16 weeks old so we have only just started taking him on proper walks.

"While we were walking I saw this big sheet of water ahead but didn't have good outdoor shoes on so I avoided it – the dog splashed straight through though because he likes water.

"Later I called him back for the lead and ran the back of my hand over his chest. When we got home he started crying and was very distressed, it was heart-breaking," he added.

"The vet gave him two injections including a pain killer. Later the back of my hand started to come up red with blisters. Clearly there are some nasty chemicals in there.

"It needs clearing up, I'm struggling to contain my anger and emotions that nobody is doing anything about it. The only people that seem bothered are the police and the river keepers."

Mr Ward said he knew of other dogs which had suffered including his neighbour's pet which was covered in blisters.

Warren Slaney, head river keeper for the Haddon Estate, said: "We believe it has been caused by a break in an old sewer pipe, locals can remember it breaking several times before, but there seems to be little impetus to get it fixed.

"The worst thing is there is also a caustic chemical in it which is very dangerous and could flow into the River Wye."

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water blamed a private contractor for the leak and said it was not their pipe or responsibility.

Head of Environmental Health at Derbyshire Dales District Council Tim Braund said: "An enforcement notice has been served and we are encouraging the contractors to carry out the repairs as soon as possible.

"Environmental health officers are visiting the area regularly to ensure that works are progressing."