WATER has always been one of our most precious resources but tends to be taken for granted unless there is too little or too much of it.

While floods and droughts catch the highlights there are relatively few chances for people to find out how our water is collected, treated and delivered to thousands of homes every day.

The Mail, on October 17 in 1997, noted: "Barrow's Channelside College and North West Water played host to more than 700 schoolchildren in a week of activities to highlight the importance of water.

"Science relating to water issues was presented in an exciting and refreshing way by a North West Water team led by company public relations officer Helen Masterton."

Among those trying out water experiments were pupils from St Pius School, Barrow.