FURIOUS villagers claim they have been hit once again with inexplicably high water bills from Thames Water.

Residents of Langford Village, in Bicester, say some found their water usage had nearly doubled despite no changes in their day-to-day consumption.

It comes after a shocking hike in bills around the same time last year when some costs almost trebled.

Thames Water later admitted this was a mistake.

One customer reported a bill of £978, which was later reduced to £545.

Ravencroft resident Lisa Smith said: "Our usage has supposedly gone up 50 per cent in the past 12 months, which is impossible.

"I have lived in this house for nearly four years, with four of us in the house, and this past year we haven't done anything differently to the year before that or the year before that. It makes no sense.

"Our kids don't use much – they shower instead of bath. I have not had to use the hose that much for the flowers in the garden because of the weather.

"It has jumped massively and it does not make sense.

"It leaves people out of pocket until the money is reimbursed. I can't speak for others but for me every penny is accounted for."

Several other residents have reported issues of a similar nature with usage nearly doubling what is expected. They claim it is without plausible reason.

Many residents had problems last year with large bills from Thames Water. The organisation found the mistake was made by a third party who read the meters.

A Facebook page entitled 'Langford Village Thames Water Issue' was set up at the time and now has 171 members.

Several people have complained on the page of repeated problems this year including Fiona Ribeiro.

She writes: "Just received our six month water bill and our usage is up 50 per cent from the last bill, which appeared to be correct after the problems this time last year."

Sian Skinner added: "Got a £978 bill now down to £545 and they want to take it via direct debit in two lots."

Then in another post she added: "Fuming! Thames Water have taken £365 out of our account this morning despite having a £40-a-month direct debit."

Residents say they have been told by Thames Water an engineer will come out in the next two weeks to read meters and check if there are any issues.

Mrs Smith said: "It is not the first time we have been sent the wrong bill - we had the same last year. It has a detrimental effect on people."

Thames Water spokeswoman Becky Trotman said: "We’re reviewing the bills of customers in Langford who have water meters.

"So far they’re consistent with the volumes of water used, and we’ve not come across anyone whose usage has significantly increased."