A green councillor came to the rescue when a tap was left leaking for days during the current drought.

Sue Paskins took a spanner to Roedale Valley allotments in Hollingdean, Brighton, to stop water pouring out into the road.

Allotment holders had reported the leak to Brighton and Hove City Council but were told nothing could be done for a few days.

Councillor Paskins, who represents St Peter's and North Laine, said: "We saw the leaking tap and were horrified to be told that it couldn't be repaired for so long.

"We took a spanner when we went the next day and repaired it.

"It took all of two minutes."

Allotment holder Andrew Amos had complained he had spent money putting in tanks to conserve water, yet water was being allowed to trickle away. The leak was in a system belonging to the council.

Supplier Southern Water can fix leaks in private pipes at the request of the customer but had not been told about the problem, which was spotted just before Easter.

A council spokeswoman said leaks like this would normally be fixed within 24 hours but there was a high workload approaching the Easter bank holiday and no one was available.

The water supply could not be turned off because there would be no water for other allotment holders.

She said the tap was inspected after the bank holiday weekend and was now in good working order.

She said: "We apologise for any inconvenience to allotment holders during the bank holiday. It is most unfortunate this isolated incident has occurred.

"The council is extremely conscious of the water shortage and every effort was made to resolve the problem at Roedale Valley allotments.

"The council takes the current water shortage extremely seriously."

Jon Crooke, Southern Water operations manager, said: "This particular leak was never reported to us.

"We take any leak very seriously and our target is to repair them within 24 hours.

"If any customers suspect a leak, we strongly encourage them to call our free leak line on 0800 820 999."

Southern Water has 20 leakbusters in Sussex who work round the clock.

During the bank holiday weekend it fixed five leaks in the area within 24 hours.