SKIPTON allotment holders should see a rise in their water pressures after Craven District Council agreed action to sort out a troublesome leak.

The council is also likely to see a reduction in its water bills after a new standing pipe and meter are installed close to the secluded allotment gardens off Granville Street.

Councillors were told a leak was responsible for poor water pressure and higher bills for the council over the past few years.

But rather than an expensive and time-consuming search for the leak, the cheapest and quickest option was to install a new pipe and meter, said director of services Paul Ellis.

Negotiations had taken place with developer Lovell, currently finishing off the next door Lambert Hills development, which had agreed to gift the council a piece of its land and supply a pipe.

"The leak is the result of wear and tear, we don't know where the leak is and nor does Yorkshire Water, but as it is our water bill, we really need to sort it out," said Mr Ellis.

He added that allotment holders had been consulted on the proposed remedy and were content.

The council will be responsible for the piece of land.