Schweppes, the then owners of the Malvern Water brand, were extremely happy in 1976, despite sitting in the middle of a major drought.

The company reported a 25 per cent increase in business while its spring was showing no signs of wilting under the pressure of demand and drought, gushing an average 10,000 gallons a day.

The Gazette of September 16 was able to report that some rain had "probably come in time to save potato and sugar beet crops " but Severn Trent was still urging caution. "This bit of rain is only a storm in a teacup," warned a spokesman and urged people to conserve supplies.