A water company has apologised for sending a customer a bill for £1,281 - when he should have paid £42.

Solicitor Graham Scott, 57, of Hayling Rise, Worthing, is on a meter and pays £7 a month by standing order.

So he was aghast when Southern Water sent him a demand for so much.

Mr Scott was featured in The Argus at Christmas after a waterpipe on his property sprung a leak, flooding his front garden and sending water gushing down the street.

Southern Water sent a workman to repair the pipe but Mr Scott insisted the work hadn't been done properly and water continued to pour out of the ground.

The company at first refused to return, saying the pipe was his responsibility, but it relented after managing director Stuart Derwent intervened when The Argus took up his case.

Mr Scott said he was assured his bill would not include water wasted by the leak so was shocked to receive the six-month demand for £1,281.

He said: "It's laughable. Somebody should take responsibility for this.

"They said they would adjust my bill in accordance with what I normally pay, which is £7 a month."

A spokesman for Southern Water apologised for the mistake, adding: "Unfortunately the bill was sent in error.

"The money has not been deducted from his account. Mr Scott will get a new bill and letter in due course."