The ban, announced on Friday, prohibits the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. Anyone flouting the restriction could be fined up to £1,000.

Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban will begin next Tuesday for customers across a large part of southern England. Customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire will be affected by the incoming ban,

A total of 1.4 million customers across Kent and Sussex are now facing a hosepipe ban after South East Water announced new restrictions. The water company said it had been left with "no choice", blaming record-breaking demand.