The water watchdog is urging everyone to make sure their festive cooking does not become a pain in the drain this Christmas by avoiding pouring fats and greases down the sink or loo.

About a third of us are still unsure about what we can safely dispose of down the sink, toilet or drain, according to research by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater).

But around three quarters of the 200,000 sewer blockages which happen in the UK every year could be avoided if we remembered not to pour fats, oils and greases down the drain.

CCWater is asking people to “Think – not down the sink!” before getting rid of their turkey fat and gravy this Christmas.

Dame Yve Buckland, chair of CCWater, said: “Pouring a bit of fat down the sink or loo might seem quick and convenient but it could easily end up ruining your Christmas.

“These fats can quickly lead to a blocked sink, drain or toilet which means you will end up footing the bill for an emergency call-out which is likely to cost around £90. It also costs water companies about £15million every year to clear blockages – with customers ultimately footing the bill.”

Blockages account for more than half of sewer flooding incidents in the UK and more than 3,000 properties are flooded each year as a result. But if we all took more care not to dispose of fats, oils and greases in the sewerage system, the number of customers affected by flooding and the damage to the environment could be significantly reduced.