MATTHEW Vincent is desperate for a water meter to save money but cannot have one because Thames Water do not know where his pipes are.

The 31-year-old joiner first contacted the water board back in February 2005 asking them to fit a meter.

Six months later they came out to have a look at his house but because his pipes are old and made of lead their equipment could not detect them in the ground.

Their advice was for Mr Vincent to dig up his drive and find them himself.

It has left the Wootton Bassett man, who is single and does not have a bath in his home, paying the same as an average family.

And he is not happy.

Mr Vincent, of Tanners Close, said: "I've told them I'm not going to pay my bill.

"I'm paying more than £300 but it's crazy.

"I don't have a bath, I use the washing machine once a week and I'm out at work most of the time.

"Yet I'm paying the same as a family with children. It's wrong."

Now, thanks to the Adver's intervention, Thames Water has promised to have another look at providing Mr Vincent with a meter.

He said: "I'd have thought with all the droughts we're hearing about they would have been happy to get as many people on meters as possible."

"But it looks like the Adver has done the business. It's excellent that they're going to come back out.

"It's great and I'm thankful for the help."

On Monday the Adver reported on Wootton Bassett woman Josie Lewis who has been threatened with bailiffs after refusing to pay her water bills because she says the water is not up to standard.

Mr Vincent, who has had reminder letters to pay but no threats as yet, said: "She's right, I think the water here is awful.

"It's so hard and cloudy. I got a kettle for Christmas and I only had it for two weeks before I had to clean it out.

"It tastes disgusting and I don't drink it. I'd rather buy bottled stuff."

Thames Water spokesman Andrew Boyd said the company would see what it could do.

"We're not convinced that we have fully explored all the avenues," he said.

"We are going to go back out to see if there isn't some way that we can install the meter.

"We are sorry not to have been able to already. Obviously we hope that we will find a way to install it."