COMPENSATION of £25 per household has been paid by Severn Trent Water to 240 people in Kempsey because of problems with sediment in their tap water.

Complaints about cloudy or sandy water began at the end of April after a new main was laid to the village.

Following a packed public meeting on June 26, when angry residents met water company officials, bottled water was delivered to the worst-affected homes in Hillside, Windmill Lane, Brook End Lane, The Limes, Brookside and Brook Close.

But Severn Trent spokeswoman, Caroline Hosie, said 70 per cent of householders refused the bottled water, saying they were satisfied with the tap water.

Within two days of the meeting a letter was sent to the same households and to others who had complained to Severn Trent between April 25 and June 26, offering apologies for their eight-week ordeal and offering £25 compensation.

Householders were also notified of a "surgery", held in Kempsey Community Centre earlier this week, when problems relating to water and appliances damaged by the sediment could be discussed with Severn Trent representatives.

Kempsey consumers were warned in advance that there would be an interruption in the water supply yesterday between 10am and 3pm, and that this might be followed by "temporary discolouration in the water supply."

Ms Hosie said this related to work being done to clean the water main in Windmill Lane and further work was needed in Hillside, where a new pipe was to be connected.

"There are still a few issues outstanding and we don't know at this stage how long it will take to resolve all the problems," she said.

Anyone in Kempsey who has experienced problems and has not yet contacted Severn Trent should write to Fraser Pithie, customer contact manager, Sherbourne House, St Martin's Road, Finham, Coventry, CV3 6SD.