A PONTYPOOL landlady fears her dream of running her own pub could be ruined because of a dispute with Welsh Water.

Angela Burley bought the Bridge End Inn, Pontnewynydd, in March and planned to re-open it on Sunday.

But the water supply to the pub has been disconnected, and Welsh Water will not reconnect it until Ms Burley pays a £640 bill.

Without water the pub will not be able to open, and Ms Burley fears she will lose thousands of pounds in Bank Holiday trade.

Ms Burley, 40, said: "The community is begging for the pub to be open. I feel I would be letting them down if I can't open on Sunday."

She remortgaged her house in Pontllanfraith to help buy the pub.

"It's been my dream to run a pub. I've worked hard for 20 years out to find somewhere I can call my own."

The pub has been closed since last August, and Ms Burley was planning to move there with her daughter Nicola, 19, her partner Colin Hughes, 38, and her father Vernon, 76, for who she is a part-time carer.

She claimed Welsh Water sent her an outstanding £300 bill relating to the previous occupier, which they expected her to pay.

After a series of negotiations Ms Burley claims Welsh Water told her she must pay nine months in advance and a reconnection fee, totalling £640 before they will reconnect the supply.

A Welsh Water spokesman said: "We have previously spoken to the customer about the charges on the account and have fully explained how these have been calculated. This has been done in accordance with company policy.

"Welsh Water has not levied any charges which relate to the previous occupier.

"If the customer has any further queries on this then we are more than happy to discuss them."