SWINDON has been named in the top 20 of the UK’s leakiest towns.

It appears as 19th on the list as insurance company Zurich UK reveals the leaky hotspots across the country.

As temperatures drop, homes without adequate insulation are at risk of freezing pipes which can prove a costly expense for households and businesses.

Damage from mains water pipes are by far the costliest with the average claims valued at £5,958. Elsewhere in the home, its burst water pipes which cause financial woes with an average claim of £5,637, followed by fixed water tanks £5,404, leaking pipes £4,244 and then malfunctioning household appliances £3,320.

Phil Ost, home insurance expert at Zurich, said: “The country has experienced its first taste of winter with temperatures dropping well below zero. While we all wrap up against the cold it’s also worth taking a moment to think about our homes.

“Water damage, commonly arising from cracked or damaged pipes due to freezing, can prove costly; often going unnoticed and spreading though the house.

“Not only does this cause a dent in finances worth thousands of pounds but it can also ruin valued possessions.

“Small steps such as insulating pipework can help prevent any watery woes.”

Other locations that appear on the list include Reading, Croydon, Guildford, Twickenham, Ilford, Stevenage and many more.