A SHOPKEEPER has had his water cut off after being landed with a bill for more than £1,000 because of a pipe leak under the road.

Azim Khan, 61, who runs Khan General Stores in Rodbourne, is unhappy that he should pay the price for a leak which he didn't even know about.

But Thames Water says he has to foot the bill because the leak happened on his side of the water metre.

After being in dispute with the company for more than two years, Mr Khan was finally disconnected this week.

He has now reluctantly agreed to pay some of the charge but says he will not let the matter lie and will continue to try to get his money back.

The dispute started in 1999 when Mr Khan was landed with a quarterly water bill of £1,244. He said it is usually about £160.

Thames Water found a leak under the road where the water pipe met the wall nine inches away from the water metre, which sits on the footpath.

Mr Khan managed to persuade the company to reduce the bill from £1,244 to £791.41.

But he still refused to pay it and the amount has stayed on his bill ever since as he as continued to pay the normal quarterly charge.

Then, in March, Mr Khan received a demand for the outstanding money. After he still refused to pay he was cut off this week.

He said: "This is something which wasn't my fault the pipe was leaking without my knowledge.

"The bill kept being carried forward and every time I rang them up they said don't worry about it. Then in March I had a letter demanding the £790.41.

"How can I be held responsible for a pipe underneath the foot-path?

"They said I should check the metre every week to ensure it is running properly but I don't think that is normal consumer behaviour."

Mr Khan now has to pay the original fee of £791.41 held over from the original leak, plus £86.95 re-connection charge and his usual bill, which this quarter was £174.

He said: "I have phoned Thames Water and said I will pay the bill I've got no choice, I'm without water. It will have to go on my overdraft.

"But I will continue to try to claim this money back because I think it is unjust."

Thames Water was today refusing to back down.

Spokeswoman Hilary Bennett said: "We are responsible for the water main in the road and the pipe which runs from the main to the outside stop valve the remainder of the service pipe belongs to Mr Khan.

"He is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of that part of the pipe and for the repair of leaks.

"Water charges are payable in full for all water recorded in the metre including any lost through leakage."

She said the company had waived £435.65 of the charge as a goodwill gesture but could do no more.