Millions face new hosepipe ban 'to keep taps running'

A water company has warned it will have to announce a hosepipe ban affecting millions of people unless the current water shortages improve "significantly".

- TOM WATLING

Thames Water urged customers to limit the amount of water they use to avoid the need for restrictions. They said supplies had been stretched by a lack of rain and increasing demand for water in the heat of the last few months.

"The ongoing dry weather and increased customer demand is impacting our water supplies across the Thames Valley,” it said.