The hosepipe ban has left shelves empty at garden centres across Oxfordshire as householders go "crazy" for water butts.

A survey by the Oxford Mail yesterday found that the demand was so great that water butt supplies had dried up.

Every centre and store that the Mail spoke to had sold out of butts of all shapes and sizes, which collect and store rainfall for garden watering.

Some centres had been told not to expect new deliveries for up to six weeks such is the demand, while others were waiting with bated breath for stock arrivals later this week.

Kevin Beckett, assistant general manager and senior buyer at Yarnton Nurseries, in Yarnton, said: "We've not been able to get any for at least two weeks.

"Manufacturers just don't have enough supplies because of the drought and hosepipe bans across the country."

The centre was hoping for a delivery of 100 butts tomorrow and Mr Beckett expected them to "fly off the shelf".

Demand for the butts has rocketed after eight companies, including Thames Water, imposed hosepipe and sprinkler bans following months of below-average rainfall in South East England.

Sandra Coppock, of Wyevale Garden Centre, in South Hinksey, Oxford, said people had "gone crazy" since Thames Water introduced the ban on April 3.

"We haven't got any left in stock. We're managing to get deliveries in, but people are wanting them as soon as the lorries arrive we haven't even had chance to get them onto the shelves," she said.

Michael Retallick, of Waterperry Garden Centre, near Wheatley, said: "We have sold more water butts in the last month than over the past three years."

Gordon Howes, manager of B&Q in Cowley, Oxford, said sales had gone up 20 per cent in six weeks. The store sold out of butts yesterday morning.

Notcutts Garden Centre, in Nuneham Courtenay, had also run out.

Demand for some plants, such as buddleia and herbs, has also increased, because of their ability to withstand a lack of moisture.

The Environment Agency has published a "low water gardening" guide to give people tips on which plant varieties to buy and steer clear of to save water.

Those to avoid include eucalyptus and bamboo which can suck up so much moisture that they dry out soil for yards around.