People in the county have responded to calls to grass on their neighbours if they spot them breaching the hosepipe ban.

When asked by KentOnline whether or not they would snitch more than 75% of readers revealed they wouldn't be informing on their neighbours.

Scroll down to take our poll

Much of the county is set to fall under a hosepipe ban next week – but several towns will escape restrictions.

Earlier this week Southern Water encouraged people to keep an eye on their green-fingered neighbours and report them 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”.

Out of hundreds of people who took our poll, 77% said they wouldn't tell the water company.

Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Tenterden, Canterbury and Whitstable will all be affected by the ban.

Vicki Hack said: "No. We all need to be kind to each other. Their garden may be their one solace and benefit their mental health more than anything else. Be kind."

While Elaine Henneker added: "No, not until the water companies get their own houses in order!"

Nita Woodland suggest Southern Water take their own advice on board.

She said: "There’s been a leak at the top of a main road in Maidstone for about a week or so and it’s still pushing out water as I type this…..water companies need to sort out all there leaks. Stop wasting water."

One Twitter used commented: "Let the water companies figure it out. Surely now we all have meters, it’s not so difficult to tell?"

While Nigel Burden said: "Certainly not. We were all forced to have meters by the privatised water companies. We pay for what we use.

"I will still water my plants with a can. Wash my car with a bucket and watering can. Pay my bill as usual."

South East Water announced the ban across much of the county last week following one of the driest summers on record.

A statement on the company's website said the use of hosepipes and sprinklers would be banned from Friday, August 12, and would last until further notice.

Affinity Water, which supplies homes along the east coast from Dungeness to Dover, including Folkestone, Hythe and the surrounding rural communities, has pledged to avoid hosepipe bans for the rest of the year but warned that rain would be needed to avoid action in 2023.