Businessman Sean D'Alton has gone to extreme measures to shame a water company into mending a leaking pipe near his home on the Isle of Sheppey.

After seven weeks of waiting for it to be repaired he now dons Wellies, diving goggles and a snorkel whenever he goes near it.

He said: "I can't understand how water companies can warn us of a drought on the one hand and then take nearly two months to repair a leak on the other?

"This has been leaking for so long algae is now growing on the footpath making it dangerous for pedestrians.

"I have even seen squirrels washing in the water. I am very tempted to set up a deckchair and palm tree next to it. It is has become the Island's very own oasis."

Mr D'Alton, 50, who runs his own health and safety company Euro Training Services, says he first contacted Southern Water about the leak in Petfield Close, Minster, seven weeks ago.

But he says it was seeping out from the grass long before that.

He said: "A workman has had a look and left a sign saying Southern Water is aware of it. But we still have no idea when it will be repaired.

"It started as a trickle but now we have a babbling brook running out of the footpath and flowing down the road. And it shows no sign of letting up."

He added: "Year after year we have this problem. But the water companies refuse to invest and our bills keep going through the roof as they rob us blind.

"The only people benefitting are the squirrels who now have a free bath of running water next to their tree."

Mr D'Alton's outburst came as South East Water told homeowners to stop watering their lawns during the hot spell.

Chief executive officer David Hinton said: “Our key water workers have been working round the clock to make sure our supplies keep flowing. But please leave your lawn to look after itself. Nature is a wonderful thing and it will bounce back when the rain inevitably returns.”

Southern Water said today (Friday): "We are really sorry for the delay in fixing the issue at Petfield Close. Our team is now on site working quickly and safely to make repairs. We always appreciate people flagging an issue with us when they can and thank the residents for letting us know."

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