Gardeners keen to continue using their hose pipe while continuing their water saving commitments have been given some guidance from Hozelock for what they can and cannot legally do during a hose pipe ban.

On Friday, United Utilities began a hose pipe ban affecting much of the north-west, following the driest first half of a year since 1929.

However, the only restricted activities by law are using a mains-connected hose pipe to wash your car or to water your garden.

You can still use a hose to clean paths and pavements, vehicles such as privately owned boats and to play with the kids.

For families keen to combine their water saving aspirations with the current restrictions, a submersible pump could be one way to use wastewater stored in a butt by pumping it through the hose - rather than relying on mains pressure.

The Hozelock Aquapod, meanwhile, cannot be used as it requires a mains connection - even though the company says it can save significant amounts of water compared with using a watering can.