WATER chiefs today lifted the year-long hosepipe ban in the region.

North West Water say reservoir levels are high enough to lift restrictions that have been in force since last August

Strict conditions laid down by the Environment Agency before the drought order could be lifted have all been met.

Today's announcement was welcomed by customer watchdogs OFWAT

But they warned NWW they must carry on educating the public and taking other conservation steps to avoid future drought orders.

OFWAT boss Anthony Goldstone said: "I am delighted, it is about time customers had some good news from NWW.

"They have had a rough 12 months and while this may not help a lot of people at this time of year, it will provide NWW with an incentive to become more customer orientated.

"They must make sure this does not happen again by implementing a long-term strategy."

Industry chiefs say the region is still going through the driest period on record with only 64 percent of usual long term rainfall over the past 18 months.

But North West Water say the £85 million they have invested in drought-busting measures mean reservoirs are now half full, compared to a about third full this time last year.

NWW Managing Director Derek Green said: "Reservoir stocks are now recovering and we are now able to lift the ban."

He said the company was still committed to a massive long term programme to plug enough leaks to save 250 million litres a day by the year 2000.

He added: "Through these actions we are committed to substantially reducing and hopefully eliminating the need for any future water restrictions."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.