RESIDENTS trying to solve the mystery of a huge hole which suddenly appeared in their communal garden may have found an answer.

The Review reported in April how Cunningham Hill Road residents were shocked and mystified to find the hole, which measured around five feet by three feet, appear over night.

They have spent the last couple of months hoping for an exciting explanation – but the reality may be slightly more commonplace.

Mother-of-two Jenny Barling, who lives in one of the flats which share the garden, said a surveyor explained how heavy rainfall could have caused a stream underground, which would have dried up, and a chemical reaction between clay and chalk then created the swallow hole.

Ms Barling said initially she and her neighbours were dreaming up possibilities that the hole was linked to tunnels under St Albans Abbey. She said they had been certain there would be an archaeological explanation given the district’s rich history.

Ms Barling added: “We were a bit disappointed that we couldn’t get the council’s archaeologist to come and have a look.

“Because it’s private property they said they wouldn’t come out.

”There is definitely an archway there and we still think there is some history, you don’t just get a massive hole in your garden due to the weather.”

The residents were told by the surveyor that such swallow holes are common and that there are quite a few on Verulamium golf course.

The hole remains in the communal garden and is in the process of being filled.