MAJOR work to replace water pipes in and around Danby on the North York Moors has resulted in bottled water being supplied.

During the hot weather, residents were finding that the supplies were insufficient.

Coun Linda Grout told members of Danby Group Parish Council she had contacted Laing's, the contractor carrying out the work for Yorkshire Water, about the problem.

"When I rang, the lady said they were not going to bring any more pallets of water because people keep taking it. So I asked what the lady meant by that, and she said 'walkers and people driving past'.

"I couldn't believe it when she said that," she added.

Coun David Hodgson said: "I don't know; people will be drinking the water next."

Members agreed that it was highly likely the people seen driving past and picking up water were local residents, unwilling to carry the heavy bottles of water home.

Coun Geoff Banner also pointed out that it was unlikely to have been walkers taking the water, as the bottles would have been too heavy to carry on a long hike.

Members agreed it was an urgent situation, not only because water from the taps was either very cloudy and white or yellowy brown owing to the maintenance, but during the heatwave it was essential everyone had clean water to drink.

The council agreed to contact Laing's and ask for bottled water to be dropped off at four different locations around the parish.

Members also pointed out that, since the disruption began, Yorkshire Water had been extremely helpful to residents and this was the first time anything had really gone wrong with the customer care.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said that extra water had been delivered last Friday. "All requests for water have been and will be met, we never refuse requests for water like this. We will be trying to find out why these comments were made to the councillor, because it is just not the case.

"If people contact us for water we will deliver it and we will continue to ensure residents have bottled water."