Kier has been named as one of the construction groups to sign a £1 billion deal with Thames Water to work on the utility's infrastructure projects over the next 15 years.

The work, which will include cutting down leaks to its nine million customers, will be carried out by a joint venture called KCD, which includes Kier and Clancy Docwra. The other group working on the project is Agility, which comprises J. Murphy & Sons and Morrison Utility Services.