RESERVOIR levels in East Lancashire are the still among the lowest in the North West, despite a weekend of constant heavy rain.

Drought-hit North West Water has announced there is no end in sight for the region's hosepipe ban. Reservoir stocks in Blackburn currently stand at 41 per cent of normal levels and 32 per cent in Hyndburn. And the dry spell continued for most of September, with just 56 per cent of normal rain levels.

This means the North West has now had a continuous 17 months of below average rainfall.

A spokesman for the water company said: "Incredibly, after nearly 18 months, we are still experiencing below average rainfall in the North West.

"Total reservoir stocks now stand at just under 40 per cent. This is lower than we would expect in a year, but it is an improvement on last year's figures of 27 per cent." The spokesman added: "We have been in discussion with our regulator the Environment Agency about when we will be able to lift the ban.

"Clearly the lack of rainfall this month means that current restrictions will have to stay in place for the present.

"Nevertheless, I can assure customers that we will seek to remove the ban as soon as conditions allow."

The company is claiming a multi-million pound package of repairs and improvements is easing the water shortage.

The spokesman said: "We now have an extra 235 million litres of water a day available for supply compared with this time last year - that is enough to meet the daily needs of 1.5 million people.

The company is also busy repairing thousands of bursts and there have been 14,500 calls to the Leakline service since it was started last Spring. The free Leakline number is 0800 330033.

North West Water has also produced a leaflet on leaks and bursts, available free by ringing 0645 543210.

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