Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

People in parts of the south region will be unable to use hosepipes

Stories about hosepipe bans affecting millions of people across the region were among our most read this week.

We have picked five articles from the past seven days in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire to keep you up to date.

Thames Water issues hosepipe ban

Water stocks across the Thames Valley are low and are expected to continue falling, Thames Water said

A hosepipe ban affecting 1.1 million people has been announced by Thames Water.

The water firm said the measure would come into place across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire on Tuesday due to a lack of rain and increasing demand, which had stretched supplies.

It bans the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. People found to be using a hosepipe during a ban can be fined up to £1,000.

Southern Water also issues hosepipe ban

The River Itchen has been affected by the dry spells, Southern Water said

Southern Water followed with its own hosepipe ban - affecting almost one million customers - due to the prolonged dry weather.

The move will come into force for residents across much of Hampshire and all of the Isle of Wight on Monday.

Managing director Tim McMahon apologised to customers and said: "Only by working together can we make sure there's enough water to go around for customers and the environment."

Dads call for ban on smartphones in schools

The Department for Education has 14 days to respond to the letter

Two fathers have announced they will seek a judicial review of government guidance as part of a campaign to get smartphones banned in schools.

Will Orr-Ewing from Oxford and Pete Montgomery, who lives near Lancaster, have warned Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson that they plan to take legal action.

The pair have said the current guidance, which allows headteachers to decide how smartphones are used, is unlawful and unsafe for children.

The Department for Education said schools already had the power to ban phones and it was bringing in "better protections" from harmful content through the Online Safety Act.

Hundreds gather for mass baptism in the sea

Organisers said it showed that the church was "alive and kicking"

Hundreds of people have taken part in an outdoor service that saw 92 people baptised in the sea.

Congregations from five churches across Bournemouth gathered next to Boscombe Pier for the event.

Peter Baker, senior minister at Lansdowne Church, led the ceremony which was described as a celebration of faith.

He said the public display was to "bring together Christians who believe in Jesus Christ and want to tell the world that".

Refracted sunlight sparks blaze across two homes

Firefighters were called to Dorset Crescent in Basingstoke

Sunlight refracted through glass sparked a fire that spread to two homes.

It started on a wooden fence before moving to the terraced houses in Dorset Crescent in Basingstoke.

It was an "important reminder to ensure that glass ornaments and mirrors are kept out of sunlight, particularly in hot weather", Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said.