FOR the part it played in supplying emergency assistance to local users Bury Council should be paid, say water watchdogs Ofwat.

On New Year's Eve the local authority's Contract Services staff swung into action after a flood of calls from people without water because of a series of bursts.

With North West Water unable to deal with the crisis council staff implemented emergency procedures costing £20,000 to help people who had lost not only water supplies but in many cases heating too, in bitterly cold conditions.

Now, having reviewed what went on officials at Ofwat have said Bury will be compensated for the part they played.

And Bury's expertise is being called on to help North West Water ensure they are better prepared in the event of a similar incident.

Bury Contract Services Department's managing director Dennis Taylor will next month address NWW regional staff to discuss ways in which the company can improve.

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