In the hot, dry weather, residents of Worthing will be happy to know the water they are paying for is not going to waste.

Southern Water has announced it is meeting its targets for plugging leaks - halving the amount of water lost through its pipes in the past year.

New figures published by industry regulator Ofwat show the company is saving 32 million gallons a day, enough to serve 385,000 homes.

Southern Water says customers have played a part in its success by calling the company's Leakline to report leaks.

The company's 90 Leakbusters work around the clock to find and repair leaks on the company's 8,000 miles of water mains.

Distribution manager Jon Crooke said: "Many leaks take place below ground and can be found only by using specialised computer equipment.

"Our teams have to listen for the leaks, which often means working at night when roads are quiet and there is less noise."

Ofwat had set Southern Water an economic leakage target of 92 million litres a day and confirmed the company had reached the level, a reduction of 28 million litres a day in the past seven years.