WATER companies have welcomed plans for extending their powers to ban excessive use of water during times of drought.

Under the new measures, announced by the Government on Monday, more forms of water use will be outlawed when a water company decides to impose a hosepipe ban.

The former hosepipe ban had been criticised for only banning the use of hosepipes for washing private cars and gardens.

Now Mid Kent Water and South East Water have welcomed the extended measures, which will ban customers from using hosepipes for, among other activities, cleaning windows, operating ornamental fountains and cleaning patios.

There will also be a ban on filling swimming pools, paddling pools and hot tubs whether by hosepipe or permanent plumbing.

It is hoped the new rules will be in force by next summer.