IT has been an exceptionally dry start to the year, but forpeople living in one Worces-tershire village, water has become the bane of their lives.

While there is already talk of a shortage elsewhere, residents in Owl's End Lane in Himbleton have to wade through water on their way in to the village.

For longer than 12 months, a leak has been flowing freely, and the problem is said to be getting worse. The area is a popular walking spot and several village residents are wheelchair users.

Jane Mackay, of nearby Lower Brook Lane, who walks her dog Muttley every day, said: "I have contacted Severn Trent on several occasions, but nothing ever seems to be done.

"It has been bad now for at least a year and is making it very difficult to walk down the lane. The water is making any holes in the road bigger and for the people who go down there in their wheelchairs, it is becoming almost impossible."

Bob Whittock, of Owl's End Lane, revealed several people from Severn Trent had been out to look at the problem, but nothing had been done.

He said: "Severn Trent want us all to save water.

Yet there have been many visitors from the company, all with a clipboard, but not a shovel in sight.

"A neighbour's disabled child can not go out in his wheelchair for fear of injury and when it is cold, the whole lane freezes."

A spokesman for Severn Trent said: "There is a burst water main pipe and we are looking to get that fixed as soon as possible. We have had difficulty getting hold of the land owner to gain access to the cause of the leak and also from the owner of a nearby field in which we have to do some excavation work.

"We anticipate this will be sorted out soon and hopefully we can do the work."