WATER restrictions for the people of Worcestershire this summer are unlikely, Severn Trent Water has announced.

In unveiling its latest figures, the company said reservoirs were currently more than 97 per cent full and that it did not envisage any restrictions for customers in the coming months.

Severn Trent Water has become the latest water company to unveil higher profits after a sharp rise in bills for customers.

Turnover at Severn Trent's water division increased 13.4 per cent to £1.15bn, while profits at the arm were up 30 per cent to £400.4m in the year to March 31.

The company, which serves eight million customers in Worcestershire and other parts of the Midlands, increased bills by 15.2 per cent as part of a five-year regulatory settlement allowing firms to raise charges in return for major investment in the network.

Severn Trent said it invested £400m in its regulated assets during the year, including £95m in infrastructure renewals.

It pointed out it had been working on measures to safeguard future water supplies as part of commitments agreed in the current regulatory period.

Across the group, turnover increased by 13.9 per cent to £2.29bn, with profits at the bottom line ahead by 18 per cent to £270m.

Earlier this week it was announced in the House of Lords that the company loses more than 100 million gallons of water every day. The figure was announced in a report into the state of the industry. Only Thames Water has a worse record for losing water.

The committee accused Ofwat, the official watchdog, of failing to ensure adequate supplies.

The financial profit from Severn Trent come days after United Utilities, which provides water, electricity and gas to customers in the North West, saw group profits rise 21 per cent to £481m while South West Water owner Pennon announced a 25 per cent rise to £110.9m.