RECENT monsoon-style downpours with more rain forecast resulted in Thames Water and Southern Water lifting their hosepipe bans this week.

But the restrictions will stay in place for customers of South East Water, which is more heavily reliant on groundwater supplies, the water compnay announced on Tuesday.

Within hours of the hosepipe ban being imposed in early April, the heavens opened and stayed open delivering more than two-and-a-half times the average rainfall in April, steady showers in May and torrential rain in June.

Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, said: "Since we imposed the temporary use ban just over two months ago, we have received an extraordinary amount of rain.

"We are really pleased we can now lift the ban but, with groundwater levels still low and the possibility of a third successive dry winter, we still need to be careful."

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.