A report has revealed how drinking water quality in the North-East is continuing to improve.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate says that breaches in water quality in the Northumbrian Water area are at their lowest level for more than a decade.

Almost 207,000 sample tests were taken last year from drinking water. Only 183 failed to meet stringent standards.

This represents the largest number of samples and the lowest number of breaches since 1991.

Northumbrian Water supplies water to homes in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Cleveland, and parts of North Yorkshire.

Dr Peter Marsden, DWI's Inspector for the North East, said: "We are delighted that the improvements seen over the past decade in the quality of drinking water continue.

"But there is no place for complacency because one incident can have significant effects on public health.

"The water industry needs to remain vigilant and we shall remain rigorous in our inspection regime to ensure that the quality of water in the North East continues to improve."

The report was launched yesterday at English Heritage's Corbridge Roman site in Northumberland.

Roman soldier Jefficus (Jeff Barnett) was on hand to help Dr Marsden sample the water.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate was formed in 1990 to check that the newly-privatised water companies provide safe drinking water and comply with the regulations.

It is overseeing changes in standards concerning lead in water being brought in following a review by the World Health Organisation and European Union legislation.

By next year, the acceptable level must stand at 25 micrograms per litre and has to be further reduced by 2013 to ten micrograms.

The current UK standard is 50 micrograms of lead per litre of water.