WATER pre-payment devices have been fitted in seven council houses in Burnley, and housing committee members are worried by the move.

Councillors, who have always objected to the devices, were told the council could legally withold consent but had to prove it was reasonable to do so.

Margaret Duthie, head of housing management, said some of the tenants had themselves asked for the devices to be installed as a budgetary aid.

Coun Alice Thornber commented: "We thought Burnley had escaped this but unfortunately we have seven cases.

"We should be monitoring them closely. They bypass the statutory disconnection procedures and are fitted to benefit the water company, not the customers.''

Coun Wendy Croft said it created a situation where the most vulnerable members of society were in danger of being returned to Victorian standards of sanitation.

She said: "Water is a fundamental right of people. I still have difficulty in accepting that people should have to pay for it.''

Coun Peter Kenyon said that because the devices were a way of by-passing statutory procedures, Burnley Council should not only activeley campaign against them but also notify any cut-offs of supply to the water watchdog Ofwat.

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