WATER from a bore hole at Irwell Springs at Weir, Bacup, could help to ease the water shortage caused by the 13-month drought.

North West Water engineers have been carrying out tests to see if it could be viable to take water from the bore hole, once used to feed the dye house.

Brian Jackson, NWW's territory manager, said a substantial amount of water could be taken from the bore hole, and from the River Irwell at the same site. A realistic amount of 100,000 litres a day could be obtained, he said.

Although things are still at the investigative stage, it could be cost-effective to lay a two-and-a-half mile pipeline to Clough Bottom treatment works at Water.

A spokesman said: "A dry winter has been followed by a dry spring, and in Rossendale and Burnley, stocks are still pretty low with reservoirs less than 50 per cent full.

"We are looking at any means possible to improve the situation, although these matters are still only under investigation at this stage.''

At the same time last year, reservoirs were full.

But even if this summer is as hot and dry as last year, NWW engineers believe that measures taken costing £85 million will maintain supplies, provided there is no upsurge in demand.

In the last two weeks, 2,000 calls have been received on the freephone 0800-330033 number reporting leaks.

Mr Jackson said: "We are asking people to continue to report any leaks they see. The sooner we know about them, the faster we can carry out repairs and make real savings in the amount of water lost.''

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