SCOTLAND'S independent water regulator has said the nation's tap water is of the highest quality ever.

More than 300,000 tests were carried out at water treatment works, service reservoirs and customers' taps in an annual report to check Scottish Water meets high quality standards.

Figures show 99.84% of samples from taps met the criteria, the firm's best performance yet.

Richard Ackroyd, chief executive of Scottish Water, said: "Drinking water quality is at an all-time high and our ongoing investment is providing tangible bene- fits for customers from Shetland to Stranraer.

"We want all our customers to enjoy the look and taste of their drinking water which comes straight from their taps."