Householders are heeding drought warnings and saving some 19 million litres of water every day.

But water levels in Sussex are still dangerously low following the driest period since the 1976 heatwave.

Southern Water has thanked the public for responding to a campaign, backed by The Argus, to reduce the amount of water they use.

In August the company supplied 575 million litres of water a day, 25 million fewer than last year, following the high-profile Waterwise publicity drive.

The amount saved is enough to supply 120,000 people.

Steve Salter, Southern Water's operations director, said: "The rain during August undoubtedly helped reduce demand but so has the water conservation effort of the public.

"We very much appreciate the co-operation and support we have received from our customers and their efforts to reduce water wastage, particularly in the garden, are playing an extremely important part in helping us tackle the drought.

"We would also like to thank The Argus for its continued co-operation and support throughout the drought, helping us to relay our water saving messages out to its readers."

From April to August more than 14,500 customers were given free save-a-flush bags, which when installed in the toilet cistern save a litre of water with every flush.

More than 7,000 water butts were sold and some 3,000 children watched fictional family The Drips plug Waterwise messages at schools in the area.

Despite this, Mr Salter warned the region is likely to face severe water shortages next summer.

Since last November the area has had only 70 per cent of the average rainfall and, despite rain in July and August, water resources are well below where they would normally be at this time of year.

He said: "We forecast that we need 25 per cent over and above normal rainfall levels during the winter to return water sources to normal levels ready for next summer. We are urging all our customers to continue with their Waterwise efforts."