People in Oxfordshire are again being warned to save water this summer -- or face the first hosepipe ban in the county for 15 years.

Thames Water has made the plea following four months of below-average rainfall.

Company spokesman Chris Shipway said: "Farmoor Reservoir is close to full, at 98 per cent, but that only tells part of the story.

"Levels in boreholes and rivers are below average which is the result of low rainfall for several months."

He said Thames Water could not rule out restrictions after levels in the county fell to just 58 per cent between November and April, making it the third driest winter since records began in 1882.

May figures had also proved disappointing. Mr Shipway said: "We are still waiting for all the data but up to May 24 we had 43 per cent of expected rainfall.

"We are asking people to be sensible and prudent. We can't say there will be a hosepipe ban, but it is possible."

He said it had been an exceptionally dry winter but there had not been a ban in the county since 1990.

Mr Shipway added: "We are working hard to keep it that way. Given things have been so difficult over the past six months it is not something we can guarantee."

Earlier this year, Thames Water confirmed that a huge new reservoir between Steventon and East Hanney was still an option.