THE hosepipe ban is to be lifted today(thur) after five weeks of restrictions in East Lancashire.

Since the ban came into force there has been large number of downpours, with July seeing almost twice the normal average rain.

United Utilities said that reservoirs in East Lancashire and the Pennines were still low but the levels in Cumbria and elsewhere in the region have recovered so well there is no longer a need for a ban.

When the ban came into place experts said it could run until the New Year following the driest start to the year in more than 70 years.

A ban on the use of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal because of low water levels is to remain because their reservoirs are located solely in the Pennines.

Richard Blackwell, United Utilities' supply demand manager, said: “Significant rainfall from mid July to mid August has allowed the company to announce an end to the ban - despite Pennine reservoir levels remaining below average for the time of year.

“We now have sufficient reservoir storage overall to be able to lift the ban. This will come as welcome news to our millions of customers, who have been extremely patient and conscientious in their water usage.

"We'd like to thank customers for bearing with us since July 9. Although the ban is over, some of our reservoirs are still very low, so it's important that people continue to do what they can to save water around the home and garden.”

Local figures showed that there was more than five inches of rain in East Lancashire during July, compared to an average of around three.