HAMPSHIRE could be in the grip of a drought in just six weeks' time.

That's the warning from worried environment and water bosses who say there is a dramatic shortfall in the amount of rain in the county for this time of year.

In the past three months only 128 millimetres of rain has fallen in the region - just over half of what usually forms in that time.

Residents could find themselves under a hosepipe ban only weeks into the start of spring.

Now water chiefs are appealing to people to cut back on the water they use to help soften the blow.

A spokeswoman for Southern Water said: "The next six weeks are crucial.

''If we don't get a large amount of rain in coming weeks there will be a drain on our resources. It's difficult to predict what's going to happen.

"People need to start thinking about the issue now and cutting back wherever they can."

Met Office forecasters are predicting a dry springtime - with only the usual amount of rainfall for this time of year so rivers will be left understocked.

Environment Agency corporate affairs manager Robert Beasley added: "We are looking at the possibility of a drought because of the low river levels."

A report from the agency revealed that Hampshire had a particularly dry February, receiving between 20 and 40 per cent of the long term average.

It is the fourth consecutive month the county has been below average.

This has led to poor groundwater retention, which is where a lot of water is stored, but the document also showed all groundwater levels across the south are below average.

The drought warning came during a meeting of WaterVoice Southern in Winchester yesterday, during which a recent 16 per cent increase in bills was discussed.

But Dr Richard Sturt, Watervoice Southern's chairman, said: "They are now announcing possible water shortages after they delivered their blows."

Hampshire MEP, Chris Huhne, added: "It is only March now and we already face a water shortage before the warm season has even begun. What will the situation be like come October?''

Water campaigner and Eastleigh borough councillor, Chris Thomas, said the environmental impact could be devastating.

He said: "Pollution is pumped into rivers and undergoes a process of diffusion in fast flowing, full rivers. But if the level decreases the pollution will remain in a concentrated form. This could cause huge amounts of damage to wildlife and to people using the rivers. This could become a major public health issue."

A Met Office spokesman said: "Evaporation levels will be going up over the next few weeks and if we don't have the rain the problems could arise. March, April and May are still looking quite dry in the North Atlantic.''