THERE are no plans for a hose pipe ban despite England being its driest since 1975.

Thames Water, serving Dartford, and Southern Water, serving Gravesend, are not ruling out water restrictions in the coming months.

Thames Water has suffered its fourth driest period since records began in 1897 with less than half the expected rainfall since November.

A spokesman said: "We have had no restrictions in our region for 15 years so it is not a decision we would take lightly but river flows and bore-hole levels are in some cases well below average."

Southern Water claims last winter was the driest in 100 years and has banned hose pipes in parts of Sussex. It will continue monitoring water levels in Gravesham.