DROUGHT orders have been granted to Mid Kent and Southern water boards, bringing the Kent League cricket season closer to disaster.

However, despite being granted permission to implement the orders, both boards have said they will not use them yet.

This leaves the sword of Damocles hanging over clubs as no-one knows why the boards have delayed, if they will impose the orders or, indeed, when.

The wording of the order differs from that implemented two weeks ago by Sutton and East Surrey Water (SESW) which is in effect now and bans all watering of sports pitches.

Clubs within the Southern and Mid Kent area could apply for exemptions to the watering ban, which would allow them no more than two hours a week between 7pm and 7am.

But should the current wet weather dry up, this may not be enough to prevent the wicket drying out and being too dangerous to play on, resulting in games being cancelled and the season wrecked.

Erroll Valentine of the Kent League said: "It is still a case of watch this space.

"If they do impose the orders, clubs will have to make sure they make the appropriate applications for an exemption order and hope it will be granted.

"I would like to think if one cricket club is successful then all clubs would be successful."

Thames Water recently announced it will not be applying for a drought order, which comes as a relief to cricket clubs in the area.

Water boards have to give four weeks notice about a drought order hearing and it takes six weeks for the Environmental Secretary of State to make a decision.

With the end of the cricket season 15 weeks away, there is little chance of clubs within Thames Water's area being affected.

However, with Mid Kent and Southern the drought order could come in at any time.

Mr Valentine said: "It seems strange there is nothing coming out of the boards saying We have delayed implementing the order because of X but should Y happen, the orders will come in'.

"But there must be some kind of time statute which dictates that should the order not be implemented within a number of weeks, it is has to be withdrawn."

With all the recent rain people are asking why drought orders are still hanging over their heads.

Environment minister Ian Pearson, who granted the orders, said: "Recent rainfall has not reduced the need for restrictions.

"The rainfall we are seeing now and over the rest of the summer will have little impact on groundwater levels."

He added: "At this time of year the effects of evaporation and the uptake of water from growing plants means most of the rain does not reach natural underground storage."

Howard Davidson of the Environmental Agency said: "We would like to see Southern Water and Mid Kent Water use these restrictions very soon to make the best use of the water we have.

"Heavy rainfall in May has been great for our gardens but has done little to ease the drought."

He added: "Rivers have seen really only small, temporary improvements to flows and the impact on groundwater has been poor."

Mr Valentine added: "If the orders are implemented, all clubs will have to comply."