Anglia Water lifts hosepipe ban

Anglia along with two other of the UK's biggest water companies have signalled they will lift their hosepipe bans.

Seven firms imposed hosepipe bans in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two winters of low rainfall left groundwater supplies and rivers as low as the drought of 1976.

However, record rainfall followed the bans leading to severe flooding in some areas.

Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water will formally announce the end of the restrictions today and to be officially lifted tomorrow.

With 8.8 million customers in London and Thames Valley, Thames Water is the UK's largest water company.

They say the dramatic change in weather is the reason for the lifting of the hosepipe ban:

Anglian Water said a combination of factors has meant the pressure on the water supply has lifted:

Southern Water also confirmed it is lifting the restrictions in Kent and Sussex.

Heavy rain battered Britain this weekend, with Wales and some areas in southern England experiencing severe flooding and forecasters say there is more to come.

However there is a glimmer of sunshine on the horizon for a blue sky summer as Gemma Plumb from weather organisation MeteoGroup said:

South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have hosepipe bans remaining in place.

South East Water said today its ban would remain in place.

Other water companies were unavailable for comment.