HOUSEHOLDS across the Taunton Deane and West Somerset areas have been assured there is no prospect of water restrictions despite the recent scorching hot and dry weather.

Despite weeks of soaring temperatures and hardly any rainfall, people have been told they can carry on watering their gardens and turning on the taps in their homes, although they are being urged to "use water responsibly" due to increased demand.

Wessex Water staff are checking on water supply sources throughout their patch, but they are confident there will be no repeat of the record-breaking long, hot summer of 1976, when there was a hosepipe ban and stand pipes on the streets of some parts of the country.

And some schools and businesses were forced to close early due to water rationing.

The situation was so extreme back then that Prime Minister James Callaghan appointed Denis Howell as drought minister - he was ridiculed when he suggested that people could save water by taking baths together.

But there are unlikely to be any such problems for Wessex Water customers.

A company spokesman said: "Our water resources position is normal and there is no prospect of a hosepipe ban or similar restrictions in the Wessex Water region.

"Our reservoirs, river flows and groundwater levels are being closely monitored, but are currently of no cause for concern, and we’re able to move water around our region to where it’s needed most using our water supply grid."

He added: "However, there has been an increase in demand due to the hot weather and we would encourage customers to use water responsibly so we all do our bit to help ensure demand is met and the environment is protected."

Wessex Water is advising its customers to help save water by taking shorter showers, doing one less washing machine cycle per week and watering plants in the evening when it is cooler with a watering can.