SPLASH IT ALL OVER!
Hose ban is lifted:
THE first hosepipe ban of the summer has been called off as Britain prepares for another weekend scorcher.
Seven million people in the northwest would have been affected by the water ban from Sunday.
But United Utilities scrapped the plan following the recent rain and cooler temperatures.
The sizzling heatwave returns tomorrow with temperatures rocketing into the 30s.
However, the north-south divide looks set to remain.
While the south will enjoy up to
32C today, the north can expect low
20Cs and spells of rain.
But most of the country will be dry and bright on Sunday.
Dr Martin Padley, water services director at United Utilities, said: “Given the improved position, helped by recent rainfall, we do not want to inconvenience customers unnecessarily at this time.
“However, future restrictions are still a possibility if more rain doesn’t arrive.”
Robert Light, of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “We’re not out of the woods yet. With more hot weather forecast, we’d encourage consumers to keep using water wisely.”
Meanwhile, a 50C holiday hell is forecast for 1.5million Brits on Europe’s hottest day on record tomorrow.
Weathermen reckon it could reach 50C in Portugal and 48C in Spain.
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond, of weathertrending, said: “Hell is a place on Earth. Iberia is heating up to a potential 50C.”
But the scorching continental weather didn’t stop Brits from flocking to the beach in Benidorm which was packed with sun worshippers.
Bookies are now slashing odds on the UK’s hottest August ever, with Coral offering 5-4.
And they make it 2-1 that the hottest temperature on record will be recorded this month – it’s currently 38.5C.
Harry Aitkenhead of Coral said: “We think there is a chance of this August being the hottest we’ve ever had.”