Softer water will return to West Cumbria's pipes, United Utilities bosses have pledged.

The company was forced into the U-turn after thousands of people lodged complaints that the water had changed.

In an announcement today United Utilities said it would provide a softer blend of water, although it couldn't say exactly how soft the water would be.

Thousands of people reported issues with the water including popping kettles, a raft of health issues and other problems since June.

United Utilities revealed soft water water from Ennerdale had been mixed with harder borehole water from Egremont.

Petitions were set up and campaign groups started calling for the borehole water to be removed.

Following a meeting between the firm and community leaders, it has been agreed a softer water blend will be used.

Martin Padley, water and scientific services director at United Utilities, said: "I’m really pleased that we have been able to arrive at a compromise which will allow us to keep the amount of borehole water in the blend to a minimum, while still providing benefits for the local environment."

It is understood the changes to water has already started and its making its way through the network of pipes in the area.

The meeting was attended by United Utilities, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, mayor of Copeland Council, Mike Starkie, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and DEFRA.

Mr Padley "We made the original changes to the supply to meet a requirement to reduce the amount of water taken from Ennerdale and so improve the ecology of the River Ehen.

"All our tests have consistently shown the water to be of the usual high quality, but we have taken on board the concerns of our customers who said they didn’t like the harder water."

The softer blend will be maintained until 2022 when a new pipeline bringing water from Thirlmere reservoir comes on line.

United Utilities said the only time the proportion of borehole water would ever be increased will be in times of drought when the level of Ennerdale reaches a certain low point. Rainfall models indicate this might happen once in four years.

Mrs Harrison said she was pleased to meet the water firm along with the officials to discuss "major concerns" residents had about the quality and safety of the water.

Mr Starkie added: "I am sure that lessons have been learned from this process, especially in terms of how this change was communicated to residents."

Keith Ashcroft, Environment Agency area director, said: "We continue to work closely with the water company to deliver West Cumbria’s demand for water in the best possible way, balancing the needs of people whilst protecting the sensitive natural environment."

United Utilities is constructing a new £300 million scheme to bring soft water from Thirlmere Reservoir to West Cumbria.

The scheme involves the construction of 100km of new pipeline, a new treatment plant, two new pumping stations and two new underground service reservoirs.

Ennerdale water will not be used after the new scheme comes on line in 2022.