Tales of frozen and burst pipes have been rife across Wharfedale in recent weeks – but in Otley some residents have been surviving without water since Christmas Day.

Householder Liz Andelin and her neighbours on a private section of St Clair Road, off Pool Road, are now into their 13th day without water over the festive period.

Ms Andelin, pictured, says they have been relying on the kindness of “fabulous” neighbours, who are letting them regularly fill up water containers to take back to their homes, to keep going.

But she has been less impressed with Yorkshire Water’s response to the crisis.

She said: “We can’t blame Yorkshire Water for the problem as it’s not their fault the pipes have frozen, and we are on this private lane, but every time we’ve rang up we’ve had to tell the whole story again and been passed from pillar to post.

“And we are paying customers so why haven’t they suggested bringing out a water butt or something just to help us cope?

“There are three houses – although one’s empty at the moment – on the private lane we’re on off St Clair Road, and none of us have had any water since Christmas which is nearly two weeks ago now.

“We literally tried to fill the kettle on Christmas Day and nothing came out, and we’ve just been relying on friends ever since.

“They’ve been absolutely fabulous but it’s hard work filling up containers and bringing the water back here."

Read the full story in this week's Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.