United Utilities' fleet of tankers have been given a new look from Cheshire agency Origin Creative Design.

The water company commissioned Origin to redesign the livery to make it clearer to people why the giant tankers have arrived in their neighbourhood.

Rose Francis, campaign manager at United Utilities, said: "The sight of a tanker outside someone's home can be worrying, so we are using the vehicle itself to explain why it is there even when they don't realise there is a problem with their water supply. 

"We asked Origin to put their creative minds together and come up with a solution that communicates a positive message to our customers."

The tankers will now carry the message "Water on wheels - going the extra mile to get water to your tap".

Mark Bottomley, Origin's managing director, said: "We're turning a negative into a positive…explaining how water tankers are here to help people. 

"This is a fun project with a serious underlying message and we explored a number of creative routes before deciding on the one that has the greatest impact."