Winchester will be a less colourful place to visit this summer after civic chiefs pulled the plug on the traditional hanging baskets which have decorated the streets for the past 15 years.

The decision has left Winchester In Bloom members disappointed, but Winchester City Council says it is acting responsibly due to water shortages.

However, the council said it will go ahead with planting drought-resistant plants in its flower beds and troughs.

The 300-plus baskets put up each year require a heavy watering programme that uses 2,400 gallons of water a day.

During May to September, nearly 300,000 gallons of water -- roughly equivalent to three swimming pools the size of the River Park Leisure Centre -- is needed for the upkeep of baskets.

But the Romsey businessman who supplies the council with the plants, believes it would take much less water,

Roger Savage, who runs Choice Plants, has supplied hanging baskets to the council for the last 14 years, and ordered 400 baskets, planted flowers, and hired labourers in the belief that the council would soon place its order.

Mr Savage, who said he felt let down by the council, said: "It would only take about 60 to 70,000 gallons to water the baskets over the summer, which is a piffling amount."

But a spokesman for Southern Water applauded the council's decision not to have hanging baskets.

He said: "They're setting a good example for people to see that the councils are doing what they can to help save water."

The Winchester-in-Bloom competition, run by the voluntary WIB group, will still go ahead this year, but there will be no commercial sector category.

David Selby, chairman of WIB, said: "Having worked hard we're truly disappointed.

"I think the business and tourism side is going to be upset."

A spokesman for the city council, which has allocated £35,000 over two years to support WIB, said: "The council recognises the value that people place on floral displays, particularly in such an attractive place as Winchester.

"However, with the current water situation the council has a duty to act responsibly and has designed its other displays so that people can still appreciate the formal areas in the city without the need for excessive amounts of watering of displays."