A WATER giant has been praised for hitting leakage targets despite losing 460million litres per day last year.

United Utilities lost an equivalent of 184 Olympic swimming pools through leaky pipes every day and even enforced a hosepipe ban for two months in a bid to conserve supplies.

The firm, which supplies water to homes and businesses across the North West, said the water shortfalls this year were 'serious'.

It had a target of 465million litres per day in leaks, which it beat by five million.

A new report by water regulator Ofwat said that the figures were achieved during the coldest winter for more than 30 years.

All companies reported high numbers of burst pipes because of ground movement caused by freezes and thaws.

Ofwat said: “Just as this cold weather increased the number and size of potholes across the country’s roads, it also affected the companies’ infrastructure.

“All the companies reported high numbers of burst pipes over this period because of ground movement caused by freezes and thaws.

"Also, the fact that there was snow cover for longer than normal made it more difficult for the companies to find and repair their leaking pipes.

“In spite of the unusually cold winter, all but six companies have met their annual 2009-10 leakage targets.”

A United Utilities spokesman said: “We have halved the amount of water which leaks from our network in the last decade and met our leakage targets for the past four years in a row.

“We have achieved this through a free leakline telephone number, where customers can contact us free of charge to report leaks on 0800 330033.”