The government has given details of a study into the affordability of water in the region where wages are low and bills are the highest in the UK.

The South West pays an average �400 a year against the UK average of �280, partly because of the cost of keeping the coastal region's sea water clean.

Bills are increasing by about �45 this year. The national average rise is �29.

The study by environment department Defra will assess the effect of switching to water meters and whether people are getting the benefits they need.

The initial phase of the study will take six months followed by a year of monitoring.