YORKSHIRE Water has improved its overall service to customers for the fifth year running, says an industry watchdog.

Ofwat's annual Levels of Service report showed that Yorkshire Water was the UK's top-performing water company for preventing low pressure.

Also, it had not imposed a hosepipe ban since 1996, despite several dry summers.

Yorkshire Water also scored highly for avoiding unplanned breaks in supplies and for excellent water quality.

The report follows Yorkshire Water's success in being shortlisted for the Utility of the Year Award, which takes place in December.

Yorkshire Water director Richard Ackroyd said the company was proud of its achievements.

He added: "We are committed to making further significant investment, to tackle problems like sewer flooding and to further improve the quality of the region's rivers."