A water firm has finished putting its case for an emergency drought order.

Southern Water is attempting to limit water used to clean windows, wash cars, water plants, fill swimming pools and refresh sports grounds.

A two-day public hearing held by a Defra inspector at Ardington Hotel in Worthing ended yesterday.

Business people who claim thousands of jobs could be lost appealed to the inspector to be exempted from the order.

There had been 39 letters of objection from organisations including Brighton Racecourse, the National Farmers' Union, turf layers, Ferring Cricket Club, bedding plant growers and the Jockey Club.

Southern Water argued that since November 2004 there has been about 70 per cent of usual rainfall. Two such dry winters happen together just once every 45 years. Weir Wood reservoir is 59 per cent full.

Mark Potter, the firm's water resources manager, said: "Circumstances are serious. We need all the tools that are available."

Greg Jones, the barrister representing the company, said: "There are hard choices. We are not embracing any of this with a joyous heart. It is a case of having to take what the Secretary of State regards as non-essential."

The inspector will produce a report to be sent to the Secretary of State, who will make the final decision after Easter.

The ban, supported by the Environment Agency, would last for six months and would be implemented in three stages according to need.

Details of the activities that would be prohibited are available at www.defra.gov.uk.