GARDENERS and car lovers rejoice, the 18-month long hosepipe and sprinkler ban is over at last. Cars can be washed and gardens lovingly watered thanks to the lifting of the record restriction by North West Water this week. And, after Tuesday's announcement, bosses at the region's water company have thanked people for their efforts in saving water during the driest period on record.

Derek Green, the company's managing director, said: "Thanks to our customers' efforts in reducing their use of water and the tremendous hard work of our employees, we have maintained essential supplies throughout the drought.

"Reservoir stocks are recovering and we are now able to lift the ban. Without this combined effort, the ban may well have had to remain in force throughout the winter."

Since April 1995, the North West has had 17 months of below average rainfall with reservoirs in Burnley and Hyndburn reaching their lowest recorded levels - an incredible two per cent - last November.

Measures to beat the drought have cost North West Water £85 million as demand for water in the area runs at 2,478 million litres every day.

Those measures have included bringing an extra 155 million litres of water into the supply system and 29 projects to strengthen water mains with a further 19 to be completed by next March.

On a hopeful note, Mr Green added: "Through these actions we are committed to substantially reducing and hopefully eliminating the need for any future water restrictions."

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