Millions facing hosepipe ban as company fights to save water

United Utilities, which supplies water to north-west England, said the measure would help to safeguard essential supplies.

Water levels in many reservoirs and lakes have plummeted to less than half their capacity due to the region's driest start to the year since 1929.

Despite spells of rain over recent weeks, supply levels have failed to increase sufficiently and today the company announced the "temporary" ban would come into force from 6am on Friday.

Anybody flouting the ban may face a fine of up to 1,000.

John Sanders, Water Regulation and Strategy Manager for United Utilities, said: "Despite some recent rainfall in the north of the region, reservoir levels are still significantly lower than we would expect at this time of year and are now at a point where we need to impose some temporary restrictions on our customers.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but a hosepipe can use as much water in an hour as a family of four would use in one day.

"This ban will help us to safeguard essential water supplies to our customers if the drought continues."

The ban will restrict the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars. Customers can still water their gardens with a watering can and wash their vehicles using a bucket and sponge as these methods use a fraction of the amount of water a hosepipe or sprinkler uses.

The firm issued warnings about restrictions last month when it applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit.