On August 10 I joined the Horsham Cycling Club on their customary Sunday ride to Leigh Hill - one of the more challenging local rides with a substantial climb towards the end.

That day was the culmination of the recent heatwave and broke the 100F barrier.

By the time we reached the Plough at Coldharbour for lunch, my two water bottles had been drained.

Over a period of one and a half hours our group of ten spent well over £100 on lunch and drinks.

Needing to refill at least one of the bottles, I headed for the toilets.

The woman serving noticed the bottle in my hand and shouted at me: "You can't fill that up in the ladies'. The water is not safe to drink."

Somewhat taken aback, I noticed a huge jug of iced water standing on the bar.

"No problem," I replied. "I'll take some from here."

"You can't," she snapped. "That's reserved for customers."

She then produced a bottle of water, expecting me to buy it. Stunned, I proceeded to the ladies', determined to fill my bottle anyway.

However, three separate notices above three basins stated the water was not safe to drink and this proved too daunting.

I returned to my colleagues sitting outside and reported the story.

One of them had spotted another notice discouraging the use of the toilets due to the fact that the pub's water is metered.

Light started to dawn as I rode away with two empty water bottles.

This pub is close to Leigh Hill and many walkers and cyclists stop there so perhaps the landlord gets irritated by the meter constantly ticking over.

Several people have since suggested that a by-law rules that a traveller cannot be refused water.

-Pam Goodall, Horsham