MANY reservoirs are starting the summer less than half full despite £85-million of investment by North West Water.

But weathermen claim the signs for a damper summer are already apparent.

And amateur East Lancashire meteorologist Tom Suttie says rainfall in the region during April was above average for the first time in 11 months.

North West Water has announced that it will spend a further £10 million to protect supplies as the region continues to feel the affects of the worst drought in 300 years.

Work already undertaken as part of the total £85 million spend include increased detection and repair of leaks and a total of 66 projects specifically to beat the drought. However, reservoir stocks for the whole region are still only 68 per cent, compared with 92 per cent at this time last year.

Worst affected is the Pennine area and many reservoirs in East Lancashire, including Hyndburn: 26 per cent; Rossendale: 43 per cent; and Blackburn: 43 per cent.

North West Water's general manager for water supply Peter Birtwistle said: "We believe that with the measures we have taken we can maintain essential supplies throughout the summer.

"But we need the continued co-operation of our customers.

"We are particularly grateful for our customers' help in identifying leaks.

"Since we opened our LeakLine at the beginning of April, nearly 2,000 leaks have been reported.

"As a result of our investment over the next four years, we will increase the amount of water we supply by around 20 per cent, enough to meet the average daily domestic needs of nearly three million people.

"By the time this investment is completed, we will be able to meet future demands without the need for any restrictions on the use of water by our customers, even if we get a repeat of these unprecedented weather conditions."

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