HOUSEHOLDERS in East Lancashire will be able to pay and view their bills over the internet under a new service launched by United Utilities.

The group behind Norweb and North West Water is rolling out an Internet billing system for the five million customers using its services in the North West.

First to go online are 160,000 North West Water customers and 800,000 Norweb Energi electricity customers, who will be able to settle their debts over the Internet from today.

United Utilities is letting customers know when they can access their account online by putting a message on their bill.

Over the next 18 months, it aims to roll the service out to all its customers.

However, the future is less certain for Norweb Energi electricity and gas customers after the group put the business up for sale last month.

Chief executive of United Utilites, John Roberts, said: "Every year Norweb Energi and North West Water bill almost five million customers.

"Now our customers have the added option of paying their bills over secure Internet sites and will ultimately also have the chance to view, interrogate and receive their bills online."