Work is due to start on a £7million scheme to safeguard water quality to customers in parts of Kent.

South East Water is to revamp one of its key water treatment plants and lay new pipeline to maintain drinking water quality for people in Malling, Mereworth and Exedown, near Wrotham.

The project will take nine months to complete and involves transferring water from the company's Borough Green works to the Trosley works at Trottiscliffe. The project will start next month and is due to be completed in December.

The scheme is part of SEW's planned £350million investment programme up to 2010 to help protect long-term supplies.