MONTHS of sleepless nights have been endured by Astley villagers who claim they are suffering because of noise from a mains pipe which Severn Trent Water has failed to repair.

Resident Roger Payne said the last three months had been a "misery" because faults reported at the start of July had not been cured despite 30 phone calls and two letters to the firm and two more to water watchdog OFWAT.

Mr Payne said: "My neighbours and I are extremely frustrated at Severn Trent's apparent incompetence in being able to find and rectify the fault.

"The fault is in the mains water pipe supplying our properties. The problem, according to Severn Trent, is caused either by a leak or a faulty pressure-reducing valve."

He said seven weeks after reporting the situation the firm claimed to have discovered the noise to be emerging from a pressure -reducing valve, which would be repaired within a few weeks.

But a disgruntled Mr Payne claims to have now been told the investigations may need to continue for "some time".

He added: "There are vibrations coming from the mains water supply up into the pipes in at least five houses causing knocking noises within the pipework throughout the day and night."

A Severn Trent spokesman apologised for the delay which he said had been caused by the difficulty in tracing the noise source. It was likely to be caused by a faulty valve, he added.

He said interim work was carried out last week and a more detailed investigation was ongoing.