AN elderly cancer sufferer has been plunged into despair following a massive water bill price rise.

Seventy-two-year-old widow Phyllis Brampton, from Steynors Close, Droitwich, has seen her six-monthly Severn Trent water bill rise by more than £300.

Mrs Brampton, who is undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer, first noticed a problem in June last year when her bill stated that she had to pay £385.35 for the previous six months water use.

The bill indicated that she had used a staggering 107,000 litres of water in that time.

The previous bill, which is calculated using a water meter at the property, was only £70.63. The period before that, covering December 2005 until June 2006, only came to £72.61.

The confusion continued this month with Mrs Brampton's latest bill coming to £321.73.

A breakdown of the charges show Mrs Brampton's water increased from 11.95 cubic metres to 107 in just a year.

"This is the last thing I need at the moment. I don't understand what the matter is. I am worried about what the next bill will be and if I can pay it," she said. "Severn Trent just keep insisting that I have to pay the bill or they will take me to court."

When Mrs Brampton asked for the water meter to be removed she was told that it could cost anything from £50 to £330.

Councillor Ian Wild, who has taken up Mrs Brampton's cause, said: "I cannot believe they think she should pay this much."

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said: "Severn Trent are pleased to have investigated Mrs Bramptons' billing issues. After visiting the property it was evident that there was a leak in her home, which had caused the increase in her water consumption and therefore her bill as she is currently on a water meter.

"As this is a private issue, on private property, it is the homeowners responsibility. We advised Mrs Brampton to call a plumber to fix this leak and to also contact her household insurer in order to claim money back."

Mrs Brampton said a plumber only found a very small leak in the toilet.