MP Nigel Evans has launched a bitter attack on North-West Water for cutting off supplies to towns and villages in his constituency.

He claimed the privatised utility was putting profits ahead of customer needs and demanded customers get seven days warning of any loss of supply.

Accusing the firm of failing to plan its activities properly, the Ribble Valley Tory said: "I was dismayed to hear that North West Water have, in an attempt to improve services for Ribble Valley residents by renewing main line pipes, seemingly forgotten about the inconveniences that such maintenance work will bring.

"It is all right trying to claim that they are helping the situation, but cutting off both rural and built up areas from water for 12 hours is outrageous.

"While I welcome any improvement in services to the Longridge and Ribchester residents, I feel that being given only 24 hours notice before their water is cut off is quite unfair."

He said no homes or firms had been cut off yet, but a brochure had been sent out in Longridge and Ribchester warning of extensive works soon.

A spokeswoman for North West water said the brochures were part of a long consultation period to inform residents of maintenance work.

She said: "A scheme will take place in the Ribble Valley in a few months to put in new water mains which will then provide a better water supply for customers, water pressure will improve and there will be less chance of bursts.

"When we are planning such schemes we run long consultation exercises with the customers, local councils and police to inform them of the projects. Our policy is to give domestic customers at least 24 hours notice of the exact dates their water will be shut off, but very often we give them longer notice than that.

"We are aware of the needs of our vulnerable customers and where possible go and talk to them personally, and we can also bring water tanks and bottle water into areas where the water supply is going to be shut off."

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