Thames Water has issued a warning via a text message to thousands of homes across the Slough, Wycombe and Aylesbury area as demand for water keeps rising there during the ongoing heatwave.

Lawrence Gosden, Thames Water chief operating officer, said this morning: “We need your support as there is a risk to water supplies. We cannot supply homes in the Slough, Wycombe and Aylesbury area with enough water for hosepipes and sprinklers. Please use as little as you can, especially in the garden, to keep taps running for everyone during the heatwave.”

A webpage for Slough, Wycombe and Aylesbury is here www.thameswater.co.uk/slowdown

It was reported yesterday that a quarter of people plan to fill up a paddling pool this weekend, which is highly concerning.

Some 27 per cent of the 2,004 adults quizzed in the survey for environmental charity Hubbub said they would be getting the paddling pool out for their families over the weekend. This will put severe pressure on water supplies – especially in the Slough, Wycombe and Aylesbury area, where demand is at record levels.