A FIRM is hoping to tap new demand when its newly-launched spa water goes on sale across the country.

Harrogate Spa Water is to get its first big test of consumer support when it goes on sale from this week in 61 Morrison's supermarkets.

The brand, which is the original British spa water dating back more than 400 years, and which dominated the British bottled water industry in the first part of the last century, has been revived after a 30-year absence from the market.

Private investors have backed a multi-million pound project to take advantage of the runaway growth in the UK consumption of bottled water. It is set to double in the next five years with consumers showing an increasing preference for home-produced water over imported brands.

Since the first bottles rolled off the production line in April, distribution has been established through wholesalers which supply hotels and restaurants. High profile venues in the region, such as the Harrogate Conference Centre, Nidd Hall, near Knaresborough, and Ripon Spa were among the first to put Harrogate Spa Water on the menu.

Caterers have supplied the brand at events such as Bramham Horse Trials and it will also be on sale at Farnborough International Air Show next month.

Kiosks at the main central London tourist sites will be selling Harrogate Spa water later this summer.