OUR plumbers are some of the best for value in the country, according to a new survey - although you may have to wait a while to get one.

While southerners are pouring their money down the drain, paying sky-high rates for straightforward jobs, charges in York and North Yorkshire are much more reasonable.

Nevertheless, local residents could face a three-week wait for work to be done.

A survey by consumer magazine Which? found one plumber in the south-east of England asking for £130 for an hour's work.

According to experts, a "reasonable rate" is somewhat lower - between £25 and £48 for one hour's work in Yorkshire.

A fair price for the same job in London and the south-east would be at least £10 higher.

But the survey suggests profiteering "cowboys" can still get away with charging sky-high rates because of a national shortage of plumbers.

It warns customers to shop around and never pay over the odds.

Local plumbers said today there was enough work to cause a 21-day waiting list for big jobs - but not enough demand to spark budget-busting prices.

Denise Appleby-Bell, of York-based Colin Bell Plumbing and Heating, said: "We charge £38 for the first hour and £22 an hour after that.

"Being a plumber is an expensive business, and what we charge is mostly guided by our overheads - wages, parts, public liability costs, and so on.

"Our plumbers are always busy, and it is sometimes a struggle to get hold of a good one in York. We try to get out the same day in an emergency, but for bigger jobs there could be a wait of between two to three weeks."

Stephanie Clamp, 17, works for Don Harrison Plumbing in Selby. The company charges about £40 for the first hour, depending on the job.

Stephanie, who was runner-up in the 2005 BPEC Young Plumber of the Year regional finals, said: "My pay isn't that good, although I'm not fully qualified so it will eventually be a lot better. Even if the money wasn't that fantastic I'd still do it, because I enjoy it.

"There are a lot of cowboys out there, but my advice would be to go for someone you know has a good reputation."

Her boss, Don Harrison, said: "We're always busy, but I can't imagine you will ever have to pay £130 for a plumber in North Yorkshire.

"Most of the guys I know are happy and enjoy their work, and there just isn't that much pressure to charge huge sums of money."

How to avoid being ripped off

THERE are a few simple rules to follow when choosing a plumber, according to Ruth Taylor, divisional trading standards officer at North Yorkshire County Council:

1. Contact a trade body such as Corgi to find reputable businesses in your area, or just use word-of-mouth and ask around

2. Obtain a number of quotes from reputable local traders, and get them in writing in case of problems

3. Most important, never deal with door-to-door traders as these seem to generate most problems.

Updated: 10:39 Friday, September 02, 2005