IMPROVEMENT works on the water supply system around Selby are set to continue into next year - and it will probably mean more traffic disruption.

Yorkshire Water has been carrying out extensive maintenance work on the district's ring main since November 2006.

Crews from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions have been working on the £10 million project to reline and restore more than 30 miles of larger-diameter pipes.

That scheme is now nearing completion, but the water company has announced it is poised to confirm further multi-million pound investment in smaller mains in the district's villages.

The work will focus on the triangle stretching west from Selby to South Milford, north to Sherburn-in-Elmet and back to Selby through Ulleskelf, Cawood and Wistow.

Project manager Richard Long said he hoped workmen would be on the ground before the end of the year, with the scheme expected to cost more than £3 million.

He said the results of water sampling in the area would give engineers a better idea of the condition of the pipes and the total cost.

"Selby benefits from a safe, clean and reliable supply of drinking water the majority of the time and the work on the ring main will certainly help us ensure that remains the case in years to come," he said.

"Another 19 miles of water mains are to be either replaced or restored by Yorkshire Water as part of a multi-million drive to modernise the supply system in the Selby area.

"However, we can't overlook the smaller rural communities and the latest project will ensure villages also benefit from investment.

"Inevitably, there will be some disruption as some of the work is likely to involve laying new mains beneath some of the country lanes in the area and, naturally, we'd like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience.

"However, we hope people will understand the work is essential if they are to continue to enjoy some of the best drinking water in the world and, although they may have to put up with a little disruption, the benefits should last for generations."

He said there would be a drop-in session ahead of the work starting, where more precise details about the project would be unveiled.