AFTER seven years living without running water, Oxford man Darron Craft and his Spanish neighbours decided it was time for drastic action.

Fifty villagers from Valle de Abdalajís, near Malaga, staged a hunger strike and month-long sit-in of the local council offices because the authority would not put in a piped water supply.

But after four days the hunger strikers, who included Mr Craft, won as Mayor Alfonso García Carrasco gave in.

He promised to connect their homes to mains water supply “as soon as possible”.

The villagers’s patience had finally snapped after Señor Garcia Carrasco was caught on film by a Spanish television station allegedly saying about the villagers “they won’t be getting their water”.

They claimed money given to the council by the regional government to connect the village to the mains had been withheld, although Señor Garcia Carrasco denied knowing about the funds.

Mr Craft, 42, who grew up in Blackbird Leys and later lived in Headington, moved to Spain with his wife Cheryl six years ago.

His brother Stuart is an Oxford city councillor.

Speaking from Spain, he said: “We’re all absolutely delighted that we’ve won. It’s been a long time coming.

“We knew the money had been put aside to make the improvements, but it was just not making its way down to us. It was drastic action, but it needed doing.

“Everyone was in it together and we worked hard.”

There were no mains connections to their properties – despite all their homes having planning permission and being up to date with property tax payments required by Spanish law.

Mr Craft, the only Englishman among the protesters, said: “The first day (of the hunger strike) is a bit uncomfortable, but nothing you can’t handle.

“But it soon became very uncomfortable for everyone involved and it starts to take over you a bit.

“We were very glad that it only lasted for four days.”

After the regional government finally pledged the money would be spent on a proper water supply, instead of tanker deliveries, a fiesta was thrown in the village.

Mr Craft said: “It was a tremendous atmosphere – the culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of people.

“The Spanish are very emotional and that was a wonderful night for everybody. There was a real feel of relief and success.”

The story provoked huge media interest across Spain, with national television stations and newspapers following the struggle.

Señor Garcia Carrasco said: “The commitment is there and the water will reach the houses.”

Do you own a property in Spain? Have you had problems with the authorities over land ownership? Call the newsdesk on 01865 425500 or email news@oxfordmail.co.uk