I want North West Water to start giving free meters to single pensioners living alone - instead of us all having to pay for water at the old rateable value. Twelve water companies already do so.

I wasn't aware of the difference a meter can make.

My oldest daughter and granddaughter living in new property with meters, pay £13 and £9 a month respectively, with two in each family.

I am 80 years old and live in a two bedroom semi-bungalow, alone. I pay £24.92 a month for gas and electric - we pay for what we use.

I want North West pensioners to write or ring North West Water in order to put pressure on them.

Under existing legislation the basis on which water companies choose to charge for their services, whether by rateable value or metering is a matter for them.

They are only subject to a general requirement that their charges should not show undue preference or discrimination against any group or class of customer.

I have written to the following people, Mike Hall, my MP, the Deputy Prime Minister, Age Concern, Ombudsman, BBC's Watchdog programme, You and Yours on Radio 4 . . and of course more than once to North West Water.

I was told by them that if they gave me a meter, it would be at the expense of their shareholders.

I take umbrage at this as I feel I have been paying their shareholders all this time.

NAME and address supplied

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