HAMPSHIRE is next in line to have hosepipe bans and other restrictions unless there is prolonged and heavy rainfall in the next few months, water bosses have warned.

The news comes less than 24 hours after water companies in the south announced they were seeking non-essential water restrictions for residents across the region, except in Hampshire.

However, Southern Water chiefs say the county will join them unless the drought ends within months. They have urged residents to do all they can to save water in the meantime.

The move, by the south's eight main water companies, comes after scientists announced the southern region of the UK is experiencing its driest 18-month period since 1933.

Already, residents on the Isle of Wight, and in Sussex, Kent and parts of Surrey have been subject to hosepipe bans. If the government grants the non-essential water restrictions, it could mean car washes close and public parks are left unwatered.

Southern Water and the Environment Agency are warning that, while Hampshire has not yet reached low enough water levels, a hosepipe ban could come into force for the first time since 1976 if significant rainfall does not arrive soon. Yesterday's decision by the water companies to apply for the emergency measures, came as eight water companies, including Southern Water, launched a new website aimed at getting people to save water during the drought.

Called www.beatthedrought.com, it has been set up to offer people advice on the drought and to explain what water companies are doing to prevent water restrictions coming into force.

A spokeswoman for Southern Water added: "We are not planning on asking for water restrictions in Hampshire at the moment, though the situation might need assessing if we don't see significant rainfall soon. We do hope that measures such as hosepipe bans will not be necessary in Hampshire and are doing everything we can to ensure this.

"However we would also ask that our customers can help us where they are able by taking small steps to not waste water - if we all work together we can beat this drought."

Howard Davidson, regional director of the Environment Agency, said: "The water resource situation is becoming serious."