PEOPLE living in an area of Droitwich say they have been forced to buy bottled water because their tap water tastes awful.

However, their ordeal may soon be over because Severn Trent Water has agreed to reduce the levels of chlorine.

Jim Forbes, of Showell Grove, said the water from his mains tasted of iodine.

He said: "About every couple of months the water is really dreadful. We have to buy bottled water because it's so bad.

"Over a period of time I've spoken to the neighbours and they all say the water is awful."

When he reported the problem to Severn Trent Water, he was told the water had to be treated to make it safe. Mr Forbes said: "We've never had water like this. I can understand they have got to treat water but I just wonder why it should be so bad."

Roy Greenshields, of Percheon Way, agreed the quality of the water was intermittently bad.

He said: "I did have the water company out a few years ago and they tested it but they couldn't explain the taste of it.

"On and off it's been a really terrible taste. It's a chemical taste and you can smell it. I've spoken to the neighbours and they've got the same problem."

Mr Greenshields said he had bought a new kettle to try and improve the situation but was now also buying bottled water.

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent said the company had received a couple of complaints from people in the area which they had referred to the Worcester pumping station.

She said: "We have slightly adjusted the chlorine levels in the water so things should get better for people who felt it tasted funny.

"Water quality is important to us and equally important to our customers." She urged anyone concerned about water quality to contact the company with their complaints.