Families can expect their water bills to rise by an average 2 pence per day on inflation to fund a new programme of investment from Anglian Water.

As part of the half a billion pound plan to upgrade the network, rural communities in Norfolk such as Bastwick, Hillington, Swafield and Bradfield will be connected to the main sewer grid.

And £7m will be spent to survey and upgrade the sewer system in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Beccles.

The company have defended the rise by pointing out last year they cut the average bill by seven per cent.

Martyn Oakley, Anglian Water's director of customer and information services, said: 'Bills are back down to what they were three years ago thanks to the reductions we've made and the top priority we place on being efficient and offering value for money.

'We're keeping costs as low as possible for the long term while investing heavily in the region in line with customer priorities.'