A TOP doctor today spoke of his fear that hard-up families trying to save water could be putting their health at serious risk.

And Dr Stephen Morton has called for the introduction of a national water policy in a bid to stop low-income households being exposed to a host of infectious diseases, including dystentery and hepatitis A.

East Lancashire's public health director spoke out as he revealed he was increasing pressure on North West Water amid concerns that its 'smart card' prepayment scheme could lead to scores of families having their supplies cut off.

Dr Morton told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he feared personal hygiene standards would plummet as poverty-stricken families were tempted to save water.

And he said North West Water should target investment in plugging leaking pipes instead of water meters and the controversial prepayment devices.

He said: "There is a need for a national water policy which addresses the issues of supply, cost and usage of water. "We need a policy which would make water freely available to everybody and avoid disconnections.

"It would also make more sense to invest in repairing leaking pipes rather than water meters."

Dr Morton has written to North West Water chief Sir Desmond Pitcher urging the company to allow his public health staff to monitor the number of disconnections.

He has also asked for a series of top-level meetings between public health doctors and North West Water staff to develop a policy on water cut-offs.

"Water and poverty is an issue and we are concerned that restricted access to water hampers personal hygiene," Dr Morton added.

"At risk would be young people, pre-schoolchildren, elderly people and folk in nursing homes."

North West Water has stressed that the prepayment devices would not be imposed on anybody and are simply another payment option designed to help hard-up families.

Customers can buy a card containing a week's supply and slot it into a machine in their home, paying for a week's supply regardless of the amount of water they use.

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