Anglian Water rules out hosepipe ban in East of England

Anglian Water has ruled out a summer hosepipe ban

A summer hosepipe ban "won't be necessary" in the East of England, Anglian Water has told its customers.

It said reservoirs across the region were on average more than 90% full after the "wettest winter on record".

The company said "long-term investments" would keep taps running, even if heatwave predictions came true.

Ian Rule, director of water, said "our climate" would continue to change at an "alarming rate", with drought and flooding becoming more commonplace.

The company said groundwater and reservoir levels were in "tip-top position" after the "wettest" 18 months on record and "10 named storms since last autumn".

Mr Rule added: "While we always welcome a wet winter to replenish our supplies - this winter has been extreme, but it does mean we're in good shape heading into this summer."