WATER bosses are reassuring householders that the region's reservoirs are in tip-top shape.

A scorching summer -- including a number of hot days during the past month -- has prompted a huge demand for water across the region.

Some of East Lancashire's reservoirs, including Parsonage reservoir, near Wilpshire, and Hurstwood Reservoir, near Worsthorne, seem to have sunk to low levels.

But United Utilities staff say that overall, reservoir levels are around what they are expected to be for this time of year -- 60 per cent -- as they wait for "the big fill" during autumn and winter.

And local reservoirs are at the same level they were at this time last year, despite dramatic differences in the amount of rainfall in the region between 2002 and 2003.

United Utilities customer service director Gary Dixon said: "We've kept the water flowing through one of the warmest summers for years and very high demand from customers.

"While we have seen some rain over the last few days, generally it was dry in September.

"I would ask people to remember water is a precious resource and whether you are using water to wash the car, water your garden, or do the laundry, it all has to come from the reservoirs, be treated and piped to your home."

He added: "There are simple things we can all do to make sure we don't waste water as the reservoirs refill over the coming months, such as fixing dripping taps and reporting leaks.

The Meterological Office said rainfall for this year was much less than last year. In August, just 22.2mm of rain fell across East Lancashire, compared to 102.8mm for the same month in 2002.

However, rainfall in September was actually lower this year than last. Just 53.6mm fell in September 2002, compared to 82.6mm in recent weeks.