THE recent snow storms were the wrong kind of downpour to help fill the region's near empty reservoirs, say North West Water.

They say the recent white out will do hardly anything to ease the crisis.

They have dashed hopes that a big thaw will mean torrents of melted snow pouring down the hillsides into dry reservoirs.

Experts at North West Water calculate that one foot of snow makes only the same impact on reservoir levels as one inch of rain. "Snow produces very little run off," said a spokesman. "The recent snow has not made any significant difference. What we need is the usual winter rain."

The hosepipe ban was introduced in August and the company refused to speculate on reports that it will still be in force this summer.

"It is not something within our control. It is all down to the weather," said the spokesman.

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