Officials say the discarded wipes are leading to congestion

The wipes have choked pumps at a waste water treatment plant in Kingussie.

Scottish Water said there was a risk of homes being flooded unless people stopped flushing the wipes and other large sanitary items down the toilet.

Officials said most of the waste pipes were less than 4in wide and have been designed to take only take sewage and toilet paper.

Anything else could cause blockages, which in turn might result in sewage flooding into the home or garden.

Terry Ferguson, Scottish Water's team leader for Badenoch and Strathspey, warned that this would be not only an unpleasant health hazard, but could potentially cost the householder time and money to fix.

He said: "We are appealing to the community for help. Please consider the risks to your home and the local environment.

"To most folk what's flushed is out of sight out of mind but we really need them to be aware of this problem as it could end up directly affecting them and their community."