A GARAGE owner has drilled his own bore hole to prevent his carwash going out of business as a result of the current water shortage.

David Charman, owner of Parkfoot Garage, London Road, West Malling, has drilled a hole down into a well of water underneath his business.

He said: "I feel very strongly about this because we have a situation where all the water we use goes back into the system and eventually flows into the Medway.

"The alternative is to wash your car by the side of the road or at home and that water is completely wasted.

"Yes, they can close us down but the same vehicle is going to get washed elsewhere and the fact is we’re recycling back into the system."

Mr Charman said he knew there was a well under his premises and, following a geological survey, he brought in a drilling expert to reach the supply.

"We were very successful, we’ve got plenty of supply," he said.

Before undertaking the work, Mr Charman contacted the Environment Agency, which said the move was completely legal and above board.

An agency spokesman said: "As long as he doesn’t take any more than 20 metres cubed of water per day he’s exempt from the licensing process.

"Obviously it’s not an option available to everyone because you need the right underlying geology."