UNITED Utilities, the North West's water and wastewater company, has set a new record for beating water leakage.

Despite the coldest winter for years, the first three months of this year saw leakage cut by 81 megalitres per day compared with the previous-best quarter in 2001 of 77 megalitres per day.

Cutting unnecessary leaks from the water system is a major focus for water companies throughout the UK. Each year regulator Ofwat sets individual regional targets for cutting leaks. As well as setting a quarterly record, United Utilities also met the latest annual target for the year ending March 2009.