SOME ecologically-minded people have mixed views about the need for bottled water saying that plastic containers are wasteful and anyway in this country tap water is pure enough and quite safe to drink.

Whatever view you take on this it cannot be denied that a few short years have seen the growth of a massive multi-million pound industry.

Young people routinely carry plastic bottles around with them and many restaurants serve the privately-produced variety first. They will only bring the ‘free’ stuff to your table if specifically requested.

With so many possibilities in an enormous market it is great to see astute people like the Bosonnet family on the Bolton Hall Estate at Bolton-by-Bowland taking action.

We in East Lancashire all know the beautiful Ribble Valley is steeped in history.

Water from the natural spring on the estate was apparently discovered by King Henry VI more than 500 years ago.

He used it as a source of drinking water but only this week have the family begun bottling it for sale following tests which highlighted its mineral qualities.

Let’s raise our glasses to their enterprise and hope the venture joins the ever-growing stable of successful East Lancashire businesses.