Warning letters sent out in hosepipe ban

United Utilities have revealed almost 100 people across the North West have been sent written warnings for using their hosepipes even though a ban is in place.

Some reservoirs are back to normal after the heavy rain but the company say there are no plans yet to lift the ban.

The company says it is monitoring reservoir levels on a daily basis.

Dr Richard Blackwell, water supply and demand manager for United Utilities said:

"Some reservoirs in the region have been quick to replenish following the heavy rains, but this is not true of all, particularly the Pennine reservoirs, which remain low for the time of year.

"We no longer need a drought permit for Windermere, which we had applied for through the Environment Agency two weeks ago, and this has been withdrawn.

"The picture is both a changing but challenging one. On one hand we need to balance water stocks, on the other, not keep the hosepipe ban on one day longer than necessary."