Winter hosepipe bans are being enforced for the first time in ten years.

Thousands of people across Sussex have water restrictions in a move normally associated with the height of summer.

The Environment Agency has warned that several months of wet weather are needed to replenish rivers and reservoirs following the dry summer.

Despite a wetter autumn than last year, the agency predicts one of the driest winters on record.

Water companies have continued hosepipe bans into the winter months in a bid to prevent supplies running dry.

A Southern Water spokeswoman said: "If we get 130 to 150 per cent of the average rainfall for this time of the year then we will be able to end the ban by spring. Otherwise, we may have to keep it until next summer."

South East Water said hosepipe bans would continue until there was enough rainfall to recharge underground sources.

A spokeswoman said: "This could be the second consecutive winter of insufficient rainfall."

Bewl Water reservoir, which supplies much of Sussex, is only 37 per cent full. Weir Wood is 31 per cent full, Darwell 59 per cent and Powdermill 48 per cent.

Although October experienced above average rainfall, November had only 63mm of rainfall compared to the average of 104mm for this time of year.

David Howarth, regional drought manager for the Environment Agency, said: "Hosepipe bans won't achieve as much during the winter because people don't water their gardens at this time of year. But the bans still cut back demand slightly because people must wash their cars with a bucket and sponge rather than a hosepipe."