HAMPSHIRE could be heading for its worst drought in more than a decade unless the spring proves to be exceptionally wet, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Since the start of November, rainfall has been at only about half the average, according to the environment Agency.

It means that the underground chalk reservoirs, the giant "sponges" under Hampshire that store water and feed its main rivers, are far drier than usual at this time of year.

However, experts say it is unlikely county residents will face a hosepipe ban even if the weather fails to come to the rescue.

Water companies have helped by making massive strides in reducing leaks from their pipes in the past decade.

Rod Murchie, the Environment Agency's water resources manager for Hampshire, warned that Hampshire could be heading the same way as Kent which has already activated its drought action plan.

Mr Murchie said: "It is looking unlikely that we will get a lot of rain so there will be lower flows on the rivers than average this summer.

"We have long sensitive rivers like the Test, Itchen and Meon and if we don't get storms in March and April then they could suffer.

"If we also have a dry summer we could see environmental damage to invertebrates like worms and things which then impacts on other species."

Hampshire has been spared really serious droughts since 1989-1992 when large stretches of streams across the county dried up. The next few years will see pressure increases on water reserves. Climate change is reducing rainfall at a time when population growth and the huge number of new homes planned for the county is increasing demand.

Mr Murchie said that by 2020 Hampshire may have its first large reservoir with Havant Thicket near Portsmouth the favoured site.

A Southern Water spokesman said extensive investment in new pipes and connections meant the company was better prepared for any drought.

She said: "Our infrastructure has improved in the past few years which makes it easier to transfer water from other regions."

A Met Office spokesman could not say whether the spring and summer would be drier than average.

THE HEAT IS ON:

Hampshire residents have not had a hosepipe ban since the renowned summer of 1976.

The worst drought crisis since then was in 1992 when people were advised to "use water wisely" after three dry winters.

The Test and Itchen, famous salmon and trout rivers, were at record low levels spelling disaster for fish stocks.

The stretch of the River Test near Broadlands, Romsey, was 12 inches lower than ever before.