WATER demand is due to slump to less than half the normal afternoon levels this Christmas Day as people across Worcestershire and Herefordshire ignore the washing up.

Almost 10m gallons less than normal will be used because of the festive laziness.

"We would normally expect an afternoon peak of demand as people cook tea, put the kids in the bath and do some household chores," said Jonathan Bailey, director of customer relations at Severn Trent Water.

"On Christmas Day everything else goes on the back burner as families settle down after lunch."

The usual Sunday morning peak for water usage is expected to be closer to noon this Boxing Day as many across the region sleep off the Christmas excess.

Severn Trent is gearing up for the opposite to happen on New Year's Eve as a surge of night-time demand for water is created.

"Up to three times the normal levels will be used in the minutes after midnight as revellers pop the kettle on or make a dash for the loo as the chimes of midnight fade,"said Mr Bailey.