Thames Water considering hosepipe ban

A water company is considering whether to introduce a hosepipe ban following recent hot weather.

Thames Water, which supplies water to millions of people across parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Kent, Surrey, the Thames Valley and Greater London, said it was "seeing increasing customer demand across large parts of the Thames Valley".

The company warned it would need to introduce "usage restrictions" - including a hosepipe ban - "unless the situation changes significantly".

England recorded its warmest June on record last month after the driest spring for 132 years. Temperatures are expected to climb again over the coming week.

Highs of 30C are expected in several areas served by Thames Water, including Swindon, Cirencester, Slough, Dartford and Westminster.

Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for England by the UK Health Security Agency. They will be in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West, from Wednesday until 15 July.

While a Thames Water hosepipe ban is not yet in force, the supplier is asking customers "to use water wisely".

Yorkshire Water became the first water company to announce a hosepipe ban earlier, which will come into effect from Friday.

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