WELSH Water apologised for the second time in two weeks after upsets over a water mains renewal scheme in Leominster.

After admitting it made an error in a letter to traders saying High Street would be closed for two weeks the company put up temporary road signs...repeating the error.

The work is taking place in South Street.

Corn Square tearooms owner Elaine Griffin protested that two crucial signs at road junctions were wrong. A third sign at the Buttercross saying 'Road Ahead Closed' made it appear High Street was closed.

"This has had a terrible impact on trade, " said Mrs Griffin, speaking on Monday.

Nicola Roberts for Welsh Water said: "We apologise to customers who were affected by the unplanned interruption to their water supplies last Thursday.

"This was due to an operational problem and once notified we worked quickly to resolve the issue and return supplies to normal.

"We would like to assure customers that during planned investment work, notice will always be given with scheduled time periods when their supply is likely to be interrupted."

The company promised swift action to change erroneous road signs after a call from the Hereford Times. Ms Roberts said: "We are aware that some of the road signs around the town are incorrect and we apologise for the confusion this may cause."