BILL payers are being invited to a public meeting calling on a watchdog to scrap plans to increase water bills by almost a third.

Average water bills in Worcestershire could rise from £210 to £267 if plans by Severn Trent are given the green light.

Severn Trent revealed the increase as part of a major £160m investment plan for the county.

However, WaterVoice Central, a consumer organisation, is now calling on regulator Ofwat to veto the price rise.

It will be holding a public meeting in Kidderminster on Thursday, July 15, when it will voice its concerns to Ofwat.

"Severn Trent's average water and sewerage bills could increase by 31 per cent - or £57, excluding inflation - between 2005 and 2010," said Sir James Perowne, chairman of WaterVoice Central.

"For customers on low or fixed incomes, it would just not be affordable and we're urging Ofwat to bear down on the proposed increases.

"To enable Ofwat to do this, we're calling on the regulator to be tough on companies by setting demanding efficiency targets and to scrutinise the environment programme, especially the higher cost, lower benefit schemes.

Costly

"We're also asking Ofwat to accept a longer timescale in which to improve security of water supply and not to increase the pace of installing meters, as we believe this would be premature, as well as costly in relation to the benefits."

WaterVoice Central is inviting residents to the meeting at the King Charles Room, Town Hall, Vicar Street, Kidderminster, at 2pm.

Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting but would like to pass their views on to WaterVoice Central should call 08457 023953 or e-mail central@watervoice.org.uk

Alternatively, letters can be sent to WaterVoice Central, 86 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4BA.