Gardeners are being encouraged to grass on their green-fingered neighbours if they spot them repeatedly breaching hosepipe bans. Rule-breakers face fines of up to £1,000 if taken to court, although water companies say they prefer "education over enforcement".
It comes as the first hosepipe bans - also known as temporary use bans (TUBs) - were introduced on Friday in parts of southern England, with further restrictions earmarked for the south east of England and south west Wales later this month. Elsewhere, golf courses have seen their fairways dry up, while the source of the River Thames has moved five miles downstream for the first time.
Southern Water, whose domestic water-use restrictions are now in place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, encouraged people to "gently remind" neighbours of the restrictions in place if they see anyone breaking the rules.
