Potter's owls short on water

Mr McKay says water shortages are common on his farm

An animal trainer who provides owls for Harry Potter films says constant water cut-offs are jeopardising his business.

Jim McKay, who lives in the Derbyshire Dales, says his supplies are being interrupted several times a week.

He says that despite complaining for six years to Severn Trent, he has got nowhere.

"It brings my business to a grinding halt."

Animal actors

Mr McKay, who runs a business called Animal Actors UK near Ashover in Derbyshire, says he often is forced to use water from an emergency mobile water tank.

He provides animals such as owls, hawks, eagles, buzzards, ferrets, dogs and cats to film-makers.

It means have to run around fetching water rather than earning a living

Jim McKay
Animal Actors UK

Mr McKay has provided two owls for the first two Harry Potter films, The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

He says the situation at his isolated farm in the Derbyshire Dales has been a problem for more than six years, but now is getting worse.

"The supply has been cut off four times in the last 10 days," he told BBC News.

Mr McKay wants an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) installed to make sure the pumping station works smoothly.

No showers

He blames the cut-offs on a faulty pumping station.

"It means have to run around fetching water rather than earning a living."

His neighbours have also been hit by water shortages, including one businessman who rents holiday cottages.

Steve Clemerson says: "The worst occasion was back in March when a party of 16 was in and they couldn't flush the loos or have a shower for more than 12 hours."

"It was a nightmare, really."

Severn Trent Water says it is aware of the problem and has agreed to meet Mr McKay to discuss the situation.