A WATER firm asking for people to conserve water amid fears of a hosepipe ban failed to act on a leaking pipe for a year.

United Utilities has apologised to 80-year-old Mary Cunliffe after the 12-month long saga.

Mrs Cunlfife, who is battling bowel cancer, first reported 'galons and galons' of water running down her path, last June.

The firm first dismissed the problem as 'standing water', then later dug up her path in Downham Street, Blackburn.

A leak was found on the water pipe. At this time, a year after the problem was first reported, United Utilities told Mrs Cunliffe that as the leak was just under the steps leading into her home, it was not responsible.

The company is asking people to conserve water after the driest January to May period since records began. The firm loses an estimated 400million of litres of water every day across its North West network.

Mrs Cunliffe, who lives with her daughter Gina, 49, said: “At a time when people are being told to reduce their water use we can’t believe that they’ve ignored us.

“There are gallons and gallons of water running down our path and in to the street every single day and we can’t get the water firm to do anything about it.

“Even if it is our responsibility to have it fixed we need the water company to sort it out and stop the leak.”

A United Utilities spokesman said the problem should have been identified sooner.

He said: “We would like to apologise to Mrs Cunliffe because she has not had the level of service that we strive for.

“We should have informed her what the situation was but after it was first reported it was not investigated due to an error on our behalf.”

United Utilities said it operates a free leak repair scheme for houses. It states: “We will repair any leaks on the pipework between the property boundary and the outside wall of your property but not normally under buildings.”