AFTER heavy rainfall and flash floods, we asked Southern Water if Hampshire's hosepipe ban is due to end any time soon.

The ban was introduced two weeks ago due to low water levels in the Itchen and Test rivers.

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A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) has been in place since August 5 in many areas in the South East, meaning hosepipes can now only be used in a very limited number of situations.

This is so Southern Water can urgently work to reduce the demand on the rivers.

The company has now revealed more about how it will decide when the ban will lift.

A spokesperson said it is not possible to say when the ban will end, but added: "It really depends on the river levels, and unfortunately short sharp rainfall will not be enough to bring them up quickly.

"We will keep monitoring and keep customers updated."

The country faces its driest conditions since 1976.

Heavy rainfall this week interrupted days of high temperatures, causing flash floods in some areas, including Totton.

READ MORE: Concern over drains as flooding causes disruption in Hampshire town

This came after a drought was declared in parts of Hampshire by the Environment Agency.

It was one of 14 areas in England that the agency moved to drought status as a result of extreme weather.

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