WATER customers in Worcestershire are not being subjected to a hosepipe ban, according to Severn Trent.

The water company announced its three million customers can still use hosepipes despite the area experiencing less than average rainfall over the past few months.

The announcement comes after Thames Water said this week its eight million customers would be stopped from using hosepipes and sprinklers. The indefinite ban will start on April 3 and comes amid one of the worst droughts in 100 years. Breaking the ban will incur a £1,000 fine.

Locally reservoir levels are still at a healthy 95 per cent, but with forecasts of low rainfall during the summer months, coupled with a high demand, water bosses say it's important to make every drop count.

Residents are being urged to watch how much water they are using to prevent any future restrictions and safeguard supplies.

Insulating pipes to reduce the risk of them freezing and bursting during the current cold snap goes some way to avoid waste as well as being careful what is used in the kitchen, bathroom and garden.

A Severn Trent spokesman said: "In the last 30 years, water consumption has increased by 30 per cent per head from 100 litres to 130 litres per person, per day due to improved standards of living. And with that in mind, customers are being urged to take note of our top tips."