RESIDENTS in the North York Moors National Park are bracing themselves for months of disruption during work to improve their water.

Yorkshire Water will carry out work in the Westerdale, Castleton, Danby, Ainthorpe and Ugthorpe areas to address water quality issues.

Members of Danby Group Parish Council told Chris Hayes from Yorkshire Water that their water was cloudy, with one councillor describing it as having the appearance of beer.

Coun Rita Rudsdale said a load of white clothes she had washed was turned black in the washing machine, and Coun Linda Grout told of one resident whose new white towels were ruined by the dirty water.

Mr Hayes assured members that the water was safe to drink, but explained that people could expect some disruption to their supplies and discolouration during the work.

Work to line the inside of the main from Ugthorpe to Westerdale has begun, with workers using a special quick-dry polyurethane spray.

It is a 4.5km stretch of main, and Yorkshire Water aims to cover 700-800m a week.

Workers are expected to reach Castleton by the end of July, but no major disruption should occur, and then move to Danby to renew a small section of the main and Lealholm and Ainthorpe,.

However, Mr Hayes said a second phase of work in Castleton village itself would be very disruptive, to both the water supply and traffic.

The village main will be renewed, which will involve cutting a trench and laying a new pipe. In a bid to minimise disruption to holiday trade, work will be done at the end of August and beginning of September.

The road through the village will not be closed, but parking lanes will be to make way for JCBs and other equipment, and traffic lights will be used.

Residents could expect their water supplies to be off for five hours a day and disruption for three to four months.

They will be informed two days before any planned disruption to supply, but it could be off for longer if unforeseen problems arise. Bottled water will be available.

All households will be sent information about the scheme and should contact Yorkshire Water if they have problems.