TAPS will continue to flow during the long, hot summer with no hint of a hose-pipe ban, Severn Trent has pledged.

The Midlands' water giant promised there would be no shortages this year because it had waged a £200m war on leakage and encouraged householders to be more thrifty with supplies.

Brian Duckworth, Severn Trent's managing director, claimed the company had managed to claw back 70 million gallons of water a day since 1995.

"It's largely because we're winning the battle against leakage," he added.

"Our customers have also taken on board the need to be careful with water, so together we've done all we can to keep taps running."

In Shropshire, under-used underground sources were being tapped into to top up the River Severn.

But he warned in the long term, the water company must look at ways to conserve the environment as well as provide plentiful, safe tap water.

"The impact of climate change means we're seeing more longer, hotter, drier summers, but warmer and wetter winters," he added.

"How we manage those changes will be crucial to making sure we have a sustainable water cycle which ensures supplies, protects the environment and helps manage flooding.

"We're working on these issues now so our customers can be assured that their supplies are in safe hands.

"But equally, they'll be able to enjoy what looks like a good summer with no worries about hose-pipe bans or their taps running dry."