The wettest summer on record is now needed to restore falling water levels and stave off a hosepipe ban in Oxfordshire.

Thames Water said since November the region had seen just 59 per cent of the normal rainfall and the Environment Agency warned the South East was now suffering the first drought in eight years.

The water company is warning that double the normal amount of rain must fall in the summer months to refill rivers and bore holes.

Unless the clouds open soon, and continue to open, the first hosepipe ban in 15 years could be in place as early as next month.

The drought was brought on by the driest winter since 1976, with just 285mm of rain falling in the past eight months.

To replenish water levels, 330mm of rain would need to fall in three months from July to September, but Met Office forecasters said that was "highly unlikely".

"We are very dependent on the stocks of water at Farmoor Reservoir and that is 98 to 99 per cent full at the moment," said Thames Valley Water spokesman Andrew Boyd.

"Our concern is that if we get a long, hot dry spell then demand for water will increase and we are only allowed to take a certain amount from rivers each day.

"If we're not able to keep pace with the demand then the level of Farmoor will drop very quickly."

While he would not be drawn on the likelihood of a ban, Mr Boyd said Thames Water was constantly monitoring the situation and people had to cut their water intake to prevent restrictions.

Any ban would probably only apply to private use -- although Thames Water can extend it to businesses in severe cases.

"There is a lot people can do without having to make big lifestyle changes," he said.

"Washing your car with a bucket instead of a hosepipe, using a watering can instead of a sprinkler and making sure dishwashers and washing machines are full before use all makes a difference."

Ironically, if Thames Water were to get its 330mm of rain, it could cause even more problems.

"Those levels can sometimes cause problems," said a Met Office spokesman. "If that amount of rain were to fall in the next few months then you could see very localised flash flooding."

Last week, Oxfordshire saw flash flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday as electrical storms caused heavy downpours which blocked roads and closed schools.