Queen's jam suppliers blamed as residents left without water to shower or flush the toilet

Wilkin & Sons Ltd is based in Tiptree, Essex - SWNS

The Queen's jam suppliers have been blamed for draining water supplies from neighbouring homes as residents claim they are unable to run baths and wash up their dishes.

Wilkin and Sons in Tiptree, Essex, have been accused of causing a massive drop in water pressure on the nearby Nine Acres housing estate as a result of producing their preserves.

It is understood that the problems come when the factory refills its massive water tanks which are used for irrigation of all the fruits such as strawberries which are grown on site.

Resident Charlie Garnish, 27, first reported the issue last month and said he was frustrated at the lack of feedback from the company.

He said: "There was not enough pressure to run a shower and I was having to keep water supplies in the fridge for drinking.

Charlie Garnish says his water supply has been affected by the jam factory refilling its water tanks Credit: East News Press Agency

"We even had to have buckets next to the toilet, it was ridiculous.

"I've put in an official complaint to Anglian Water and have been in constant discussions with them."

Neighbour Gavin Smith, 42, added: "We've only been here for six weeks and it's lovely so it was a shame that about the water."

Anglian Water, which supplies the estate, said a meeting with Wilkin and Sons is due to take place next week to discuss the problems.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "In the meantime, we've agreed with the factory that we will advise them on the best time of day to refill their water tanks, so that it has minimal disruption for nearby residents."

Chris Newham, joint managing director of Wilkin and Sons, said the firm had been frustrated by the issue "as we know all our new neighbours are".

He said: "Having worked with Anglian Water for over a year to ensure the correct supply was available to our site, we have had to revert to our old supply until such time as the pressure issues with the new supply have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction."

The manufacturers have been a Royal Warrant holder since 1911 and Her Majesty even visited the site for a VIP tour in 2010.