Public support for renationalising the water industry has plummeted after a recent survey revealed that British adults trust their water company more than a local council.

The survey found that almost nine in ten adults trust their water company to deliver the essential service.

Meanwhile only a third of the public said they had confidence in local councils and trade unions to play a role in doing so.

The results of the ComRes survey, commissioned by the water industry, will come as a blow to Labour plans to "take back the tap".

The party put forward the multi-billion pound plan to nationalise the UK’s water and waste companies amid fears that their owners were profiteering at the expense of customers.

The plan won the support of almost 85pc of those surveyed by the Legatum Institute 18 months ago, but the latest polling data shows that only two in five British adults now support the nationalisation of water and sewerage services in England.

Meanwhile, slightly more than a third say they oppose the plans.