A village has a new stream, courtesy of Thames Water.

It started running eight weeks ago in Cat Lane, Ewelme, and despite dozens of calls to the water company, it is still pouring thousands of gallons of water down the road.

It has turned the white lines in Cat Lane green with algae.

Parish council clerk Sue Hill said: "The hole itself has now become a water feature.

"But joking apart, it has made us all very angry.

"Thames Water is keen enough to put up the water bills and speedy in threatening us with hosepipe bans, but is tardy in the extreme when it comes to repairing leaks which are sending thousands of gallons of precious water into the road.

"We are an environmentally friendly village and do whatever we can to conserve water as requested, but this makes us wonder whether it is worthwhile."

Her two huskies are pleased, however, as they use the new stream to drink from.

Parish council chairman Neil Blake said: "People who threaten us with hosepipe bans should put their own house in order first and mend these leaks.

"Ewelme cannot be the only place where this is happening.

"We were once famous for our watercress and already have one spring -- now thanks to Thames Water we have another.

"If it's here much longer we'll have to redraw the village map."

Ewelme resident Tim Ison said: "Thames Water's response has been shameful -- we've complained every week and been fobbed off with three dates when they said it would be mended but nothing has been done."

A spokesman for Thames Water said the work was scheduled to be done on Tuesday now permission had been gained from Oxfordshire County Council to set up traffic lights in Cat Lane.

The spokesman said: "It was scheduled for the 12th but we realised that with two dangerous bends in Cat Lane, traffic lights would be needed.

"We cannot just come out and deal with leaks immediately -- we have to seek permissions from other people to comply with health and safety issues. We understand people are annoyed but the problem will soon be fixed."