A utility company is asking permission to pump millions of extra litres of water from a river - sparking criticism from anglers.

Southern Water has asked the Environment Agency for a drought permit to allow more water to be taken from the Western Rother at Hardham, near Pulborough.

Water reserves are still low, following the heatwave in June and July.

Although there was above average rainfall in August, it did little to replenish ground water and river flows as it quickly evaporated back into the atmosphere or was taken up by growing plants.

Southern Water has asked for permission to take water from the Western Rother until its flow rate drops to 53.6 million litres per day. The limit is currently 63.6 million per day.

Anglers in the Pulborough area are among those who have been directly affected by the drought.

Fred Puttick, chairman of Pulborough Angling Society, said the permit application was a concern because rivers were already running low.

He said: "We know the environment is changing. The Adur, which the Rother joins at Hardham, used to be the second fastest flowing river in the country but it's a totally different story now. Of course it does have an effect on the wildlife.

"Less water means higher saline levels and so we're starting to see sea species such as mullet and bass travelling up the river."

Southern's water planning and strategy manager, Meyrick Gough, said the permit was needed to maintain supplies in case there was a lack of rainfall this autumn and winter.

He said: "We are continuing to reintroduce new water sources and increase the ability to move water around our supply region from areas with suplus to those without."

He said it could take up to two months of average rainfall before the supply improves noticeably.

Roger Paterson, who represents Pulborough on Horsham District Council, said residents would be annoyed by the application. He said: "It is pretty galling, especially as Pulborough sits on the largest aquifer in the South-East.

"I think Southern Water have been very poor at communicating with customers and there have been no initiatives to save extra water, for example by encouraging more people to use dual flush lavatories, which would save 30 cubic metres of water per household, per year. If they introduced some long-term projects like these, they could completely solve the water shortage."

Residents can see the plans at Southern Water headquarters in Yeoman Road, Worthing, between 10am and 4pm, or at Pulborough Library in Brooks Way during opening hours, until October.