YORKSHIRE Water has replied to criticism that it left a burst pipe unattended for six days.

The leak in South End, Bedale, was finally repaired yesterday after several residents in the area telephoned the company on Thursday last week.

One resident, who described himself as a concerned customer, said: ''While everyone tries to save water, such as by not using running water to clean teeth, Yorkshire Water seems to have enough to spare to leave a burst pipe for six days.''

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said the company's aim was to attend every incident within three working days, but the first reports of the burst were received late on Thursday afternoon, leaving only one day before the bank holiday intervened.

He said bursts were placed on a priority list according to whether they were affecting water supplies or threatening properties. The South End burst did not fit into the emergency category and had a low priority, but inspectors had gone out at night to trace the source of the leak.

The spokesman said: ''We are sorry if customers were concerned or felt that nothing was being done. The priorities we work to allow crews the time they need to fix the more important bursts."