In March, we applied for a water meter from Thames Water. We were told that it could be about three weeks before we got one as they had a backlog.

Someone came within a few days and duly marked in blue where the meter would be. We waited until May, rang Thames Water and were told we were in the system, so we waited again.

Last Thursday, a neighbour had a meter put in, after just 27 days of waiting. We asked the men doing the job if we were on their list and were told no.

I rang Thames Water and after hanging on for ages, was told we should be getting a meter within three weeks.

Lo and behold, a lorry arrived in the afternoon and a man said they were there to install our meter.

We waited 176 days, according to the young man's worksheet.

Can anyone beat this?

MARGARET RICHARDSON Cherry Close Kidlington