very nervous house buyer

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I have been looking to buy for several months - I sold my property and am a cash buyer (which is great - but...without the shoulder of a mortgage company to say yay or nay about things that may be refused a mortgage it feels like a worry)
The house prices have gone up in that time and I have had an offer accepted on a house which was marketed at £399k for £370 which is more than I would have liked but I am getting very tired from a huge drive each day and need to get this sorted (long story!) and to be honest didn't think the offer would be snapped up by the very eager to move sellers (I may have been a little co-erced by the agent)
The house had a buyer. Buyer pulled out over concerns about sewer. Sewer is now to be marked on plans as 'assumed abandoned' My solicitor hasn't heard of this before and says if the survey says it looks okay above ground to go with that if I'm not going to worry. But I'm thinking if Thames Water say they have abandoned it presumably they wont maintain and it could be a problem in the future. I'm mainly worried about it coming up when I sell and a mortgage company refusing to back a buyer over this. Does anyone have any experience or wise words? If I needed a mortgage the mortgage company would say how they felt about it and they'd either offer the loan or not.
I'm a single mum and finding this very stressful without anyone I can really talk to. Plus I feel rushed (they have found another property (on the same day as I offered!) and want to exchange by 20 December)
Thank you!

I've never heard about this sewer issue but why not speak to a drains specialist who may be able to advise you or a general surveyor? It does sound as if you are trying to find excuses not to buy this house though. Ultimately, it may not be your forever home but ask yourself if it can provide what you need for the time being because living in it will almost certainly be better than the uncertainty of renting and watching house prices run away while you dither.

Best advice I was given is not to buy into someone else's problem. However, I suggest you post in the house buying thread on moneysavingexpert.com as I know there are solicitors and surveyors who lurk on those threads and may be able to help you.

Thank you both for your help - I have never visited money saving expert and its an interesting site. A drains person is a good idea - I think I was limiting my thinking - to the 'normal' surveyors. Thanks again

Might be worth getting in touch with Thames Water direct. I had a sewer running under part of my garden in my old house but the water company did still maintain it. Had no problems at all when I sold, though I did have to explain that the water board may have to have access to it on occasion, but that any work done would be at the water board's expense and the garden returned to it's original condition. The only thing which would worry me about an abandoned sewer is if it got blocked/broken and caused flooding etc. Who would be responsible then?