Capital 'could run out of water'

London could run out of water in the next two years because Thames Water has not plugged leaks in the capital's pipes, a report warns today.

The amount of water lost could fill 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools every day, according to the report by the London Assembly. The driest summer in a century has added to the problem.

The Assembly accused Thames Water of spending more on shareholder dividends than redressing the leaks.

A Thames spokeswoman said "record amounts" were being spent on the problem.