The majority of water pipes in Ledbury and the surrounding areas are set to be replaced or relined, in a massive programme of work which could start as early as April.

The work means that individual streets in Ledbury could find themselves without water for up to 36 hours, according to information given by Welsh Water to Ledbury Town Council.

The company is planning to use standpipes or provide bottled water where necessary.

There is also likely to be considerable disruption to traffic.

The town council, which was informed of the likely start date yesterday (Thursday), is still to be notified as to how long the rolling programme of works will take.

Town clerk Tessa Wildermoth has already invited Welsh Water to attend a meeting of the environment and leisure committee in the New Year.

It is hoped that further details will be forthcoming and Welsh Water has agreed to a period of consultation as it firms up its final plans.

The council is calling for a public exhibition of the programme of works.

Welsh Water has already provided maps and these can be examined in the town council offices, off Church Lane.

Streets earmarked to be affected are marked in red and estates including New Mills and Deer Park are spider-webbed by red lines.

Ledbury mayor Mary Cooper said she was concerned at the scale of the proposed works, although she understood that they were necessary improvements to ageing pipes.

She said: "I am worried at the possible disruption, because of the scale of the works, and I am worried about older people and those with young children in particular.

"Thirty six hours is a day and half without water and you could easily be two days."

According to maps provided by Welsh Water to Ledbury Town Council, few areas are likely to escape the programme of pipe replacements and improvements.

The majority of the Deer Park estate will be effected and all of New Street, with the exception of the Top Cross junction. There will be pipe-works past Somerfield supermarket.

New Mills estate will not escape major works, including the majority of New Mills Way and side roads, including Browning Road.

In the town centre, there will be pipe-works in the historic heart of town.

The programme includes Church Lane and Church Street and also in The Homend, from the Baptist Church to Orchard Lane. Work will also be down Orchard Lane, past Tesco and Leadon Bank old people's home.

Works will be carried out to the main feeder pipe for Ledbury Primary School, although John Masefield High School looks set to escape disruption.

Older residential streets in the town centre will also be affected.

These include Woodleigh Road, Oatleys Crescent, Victoria Road and Churchill Meadow.

Water pipes will be replaced or improved along the Little Marcle Road, including past the waste reclamation site.

The Ross Road, past Ledbury Rugby Club, will also be affected, as will the A438 Ledbury to Hereford Road and the whole of the A438 down to Eastnor.

Water pipes will also be replaced or improved throughout Wellington Heath village, and also along the Bosbury Road, past the Bromyard Road Trading Estate.