UNITED Utilities has seen its number of complaints from customers drop by 16 per cent.

The Lingley Mere-based water company has earned praise from consumer champion the Consumer Council for Water in its annual report into complaints.

It was one of four such companies across the country singled out as ‘leading the way’ in handling complaints.

United Utilities customer and people director Lou Beardmore said: “Several years ago we were not among the top tier of water companies, but we have worked hard to transform customer service and things have really turned around.

“This latest report is really good news, for our customers more than anyone else.

“We are acutely aware of our purpose in delivering essential services that seven million people across the north west rely on every day.

“Getting things right first time, or acting quickly to put things right on the rare occasions we don’t, is one of our most important aims as a business.”

Complaints about United Utilities made to the CCW by customers also fell by a fifth.

Council chief executive Emma Clancy added: “Consumers’ expectations of their water company are very simple – they want accurate, affordable bills and a service they can always rely on but some suppliers are still not getting the basics right.

“It’s encouraging most of the industry is heading in the right direction, but we want to see a big reduction in the large number of disputes over bills which still cause many customers enormous frustration – as well as resolving more complaints at the first time of asking.”