Mayoral rivals say cut back on bottled water

Two leading challengers in the mayoral contest have given their support to the Evening Standard's Water On Tap campaign.

Tory Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick both pledged to encourage Londoners to curb their consumption of bottled water.

It comes as Quo Vadis, one of London's most famous restaurants, announced it will not stock bottled water when it reopens in May.

Evening Standard is calling for restaurants and bars to offer tap water as an alternative to expensive and environmentally damaging bottled water.

Hundreds of restaurants, cafés and bars have signed up to the campaign, which is also supported by Mayor Ken Livingstone, ministers and MPs.

Mr Johnson said: "We cannot afford to waste water on the scale we have been for years.

"Bottled water is an indulgence with no health benefits. It not only costs people more, it costs the environment too."

Mr Paddick said: "When you consider the energy wasted in producing a bottle of water and how good London's water tastes, there is really no excuse to drink bottled water.

"We need to help change people's attitudes. Londoners need to feel it's socially okay to ask for tap water with a meal.

"As Mayor, I would encourage more restaurants to offer tap water up front, so people aren't having to ask for it. Drinking it will not only save you money, it will also help save the planet."

Quo Vadis's new owners said all water served at its tables would come from the tap - a move likely to be followed by other big names.