A FAMILY fear they could be forced to spend Christmas in a caravan because of a lack of water at their new home.

The Jobling family is building the house at Lockton Cottage, in Welbury, near Northallerton, after they were given planning permission to demolish the existing property.

But Michelle Jobling said they have had to wait for more than a month for a water supply to be connected to the house and the lack of water has left builders struggling to complete the project on schedule.

She said she has to travel 40 miles each day to drop her children off for their school bus because the family is unable to live on the site.

They had hoped to be living in a static caravan at the site, but instead are having to stay with relatives in Eaglescliffe.

The family is also having to transport four barrels of water to the site from Eaglescliffe each day for the builders.

They wrote to Yorkshire Water in June asking for water to be reconnected to the site.

In August, they paid a connection charge of £852.

However, they have now been told it could still take an extra month for the water to be connected.

Mrs Jobling said: "I do not understand; all that needs doing is a new meter installing and for it to be reconnected.

"It is very stressful for me and the family and also for my in-laws, who are having to get used to living with four other people.

"We had hoped to be moved in there by Christmas, but we do not want to be living in a caravan at Christmas."

Yorkshire Water said the connection has been delayed because it needs to get permission from Network Rail to work within 60 metres of a railway.

It has offered the Jobling family a water bowser, but Mrs Jobling said this would not make any difference because they still would be unable to use toilets or showers.