Government cash is being sought to help a council with its workload for the proposed £1bn reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage.

And the Vale of White Horse District Council is also lining up support from three MPs to fight its corner.

The water regulator Ofwat has allowed Thames Water to spend money on preparation and consultation and now the council wants financial aid from the Government Office for the South East.

Chairman of the council's reservoir advisory group, Tony de Vere, said: "What we are seeking is fair play.

"We recognise that the reservoir costs for Thames Water are considerable for preparation and consultation - but the council is the primary consultee on the reservoir and as such heavy costs will fall into our laps.

"When it comes to a public inquiry, Thames Water will have lawyers and experts to argue its case and so we will need experts and legal representation.

"It's going to cost us a lot of money and will be unfair for all the burden to fall on council tax payers who would feel aggrieved."

To fight its case the council plans to recruit Ed Vaizey, MP for Wantage, and neighbouring MPs Oxford West and Abingdon's Evan Harris and Boris Johnson for Henley.

Mr Vaizey said: "I certainly support the council. Thames Water has been allowed funds to put its case by Ofwat and so the Government should ensure there is a level playing field."

Dr Harris said: "I support the council in its attempts to get fair play and be on an equal footing with a major company that has been given permission by Ofwat to use public money."

The council is currently putting forward its views on Thames Water's Stage 2 consultation earlier this year, which unveiled details about the reservoir.

The council and the Environment Agency believe the reservoir case has not yet been proved, and have raised issues such as leakage, water transfer from other areas, flood risk, environmental impact and how much water would be taken from the Thames.

Nicola Savage, of Thames Water, said: "We are continuing to assess all the responses from both consultations and a full report will be published later this year."