An Oxford gardener is angry that the city council can continue to water public parks with sprinklers and hosepipes while domestic households are banned.

Green-fingered Philip Kuddity, of St Leonard's Road, Headington, said members of the public used to compliment him on his garden, but that has stopped since Thames Water introduced the ban in April.

Mr Kuddity, 71, said the council should take the initiative and stop using sprinklers in public gardens because it is unfair.

He said: "I know people enjoy looking at the rose gardens and other flowers in the parks, but what about those people who can't get out and about and can only see nicely-kept neighbours' gardens?

"I take a lot of pride in my garden, but it's nowhere near as nice as it normally is because I can't water it as much as I would like.

"I think it's total double standards by the council and absolutely disgusting that they are using so much water while my garden is dying."

A council spokesman said the parks department had acted responsibly regarding the use of water in the city.

She said: "We were in close discussions with Thames Water before we decided to hang out the hanging baskets and we have been using water in our parks sparingly.

"We have also made the decision not to open the Cutteslowe Park paddling pool this season because of the amount of water that would be needed to refill it daily."

Thames Water spokesman Hilary Bennett said she understood that some people may not think the ban was fair.

But she said a domestic hosepipe and sprinkler ban was a necessary first measure to try and reduce water usage.

She said: "We sympathise with those people who are opposed to this, but there are procedures in place which mean we have to have a domestic hosepipe and sprinkler ban before we go for a drought order which would ban hosepipes and sprinklers in public parks."