A HOSEPIPE ban affecting thousands of homes in the county has been lifted.

Southern Water made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that sufficient rain since November and predicted rainfall until April would recharge reservoirs and underground sources.

Mid Kent Water, which also supplies large parts of Kent, has said a decision will be made by the end of the month on whether it will also lift its ban.

Both companies introduced hosepipe and sprinkler restriction to Kent in 2005.

Now Heavy rainfall last autumn and in recent weeks has helped to replenish the underground aquifers on which both Southern and Mid Kent depend.

December rainfall in the region was about 110 to 120 per cent of the long term average.

Despite lifting the ban Southern Water are still asking people to be careful with their water use.

Bewl Water at Lamberhurst, the largest reservoir in the South East, has been significantly refilled in recent months.

At the start of 2006, the water level in the giant reservoir fell to 36 per cent of its 31,000 million litre capacity. But the level has risen to 91 per cent.