The ban on Hosepipe extended to Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire

The Hospepp ban was extended to cover 2.4 million people in southern England after record temperatures.

The South East Water Block now includes Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire – an extra 1.5m customers. A The ban on classes in Kent has been effective since July 3.

SEW Water Supply Director Douglas Whitfield said he was “very sorry” and “extremely grateful to everyone who is helping us protect our water supplies” after the hot and dry weather.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde said: “It is a direct result of years of investment in improving infrastructure and building resilience”.

Under the ban, households in the affected area will be barred from using hoses inside their homes, including for cleaning, filling ponds or watering plants.

The ban will officially come into force from 00:01 BST on Saturday, but SEW has asked its customers to comply with the restrictions immediately.

The UK record for the hottest day in June was broken for the third consecutive day last month, with temperatures reaching 37.3C, the Met Office said.