Pensioners at a Bingley sheltered housing complex are battling Yorkshire Water to get their water supply at what they call an affordable price.

People living in 50 flats at Maple Court are furious after being told the company will provide water meters to help reduce their bills - but only if the residents pay for their installation themselves.

The residents, many of whom are in their 80s and 90s, have been told it will cost at least £6,000 to install the meters.

Many of the pensioners pay more than £200 a year for their water supply, as well as paying a separate monthly service charge each month to use the complex's laundry service and communal bathroom facilities.

They have claimed they could save up to £100 a year by switching to meters, which are usually installed for free by Yorkshire Water, and say they cannot afford the current prices on their pensions.

They have now taken their fight to the town's councillors and WaterVoice, which fights for the water customers' rights.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said there were "a number of difficulties" in installing the water meters at the complex in Ash Terrace.

But Joan Crawford, 75, who is leading the fight, said: "We are expected to pay hundreds each to put in these meters and it is just not on on our fixed pensions."

Irene Fenton said: "Where I lived before in Horsforth I sent off an application form and I got the meter within days.

"I think they think we can be taken for an easy ride because of our ages. Well, we won't be."

The Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "Most of the properties have a separate hot and cold water supply which would both have to be metered if correct readings are to be acquired for billing purposes.

"Additionally, the pipework has been installed in such a manner that contractors who fit the meters on behalf of Yorkshire Water would need to hire specialist equipment to freeze off the water supply around sensitive hot water cylinders to protect them from damage, driving the cost of each job even higher."

He said under the Water Industry Act 1999, Yorkshire Water had a responsibility to install meters free of charge if the work was "straightforward".

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said he would like to see representatives from Yorkshire Water and the Aire Wharfe Community Housing Trust, which manages the complex, to get round the table with residents.

And Deborah Beattie, Yorkshire regional manager for WaterVoice, said the group was aware of the problems and was putting pressure on Yorkshire Water.