GARDENERS, sports clubs, and farmers were today celebrating as the county’s hosepipe ban was lifted.

After two months of turbulent weather, Thames Water has announced it is today removing water use restrictions on more than 8.8m homes.

In typical British tradition, droughts, gale-force winds, floods and even a tornado have plagued the county since the ban was announced.

Gardener Harry Robinson, an Oxford in Bloom judge, from Headington, said he was relieved the ban had been lifted The 81-year-old said: “There has been some odd weather.

“I’m glad the ban has been lifted.

“I know a lot of gardeners, who tend to be elderly, had been finding it a struggle to carry the water down to their gardens.”

Thames Water said ‘a heartfelt thank you’ to people in Oxfordshire for complying with the Temporary Use Ban, which came into force on April 5.

The water company said it had taken the decision to lift the hosepipe ban after London and the Thames Valley received more than two-and-a-half times the average rainfall in April, steady showers in May and further monsoon-style downpours so far in June with more forecast.

In March, ahead of the ban being enforced, Oxfordshire was in the grip of drought, following the driest two-year period on record.

But just four days after the hosepipe ban was rolled out on April 5, the heavens opened and winds and rain battered the county.

Flash rain and floods continued throughout April, causing a nightmare for drivers around the Oxfordshire, and even jeopardising asparagus season for some of the county’s farmers.

Then, on May 7, a bizarre freak storm hit Oxfordshire.

Shoppers witnessed lightning and pea-sized hail stones, a cinema in Witney was forced to evacuate film fans and a tornado was spotted in Bicester, Eynsham, Kidlington and South Leigh.

But just two weeks later residents were once again shaking out the picnic blankets, popping on their sun hats and dashing to the nearest park to make the most of the glorious sunshine.

The weather did not hold out for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, however, although the rain did not dampen Oxfordshire’s spirits.

Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, said: “In early April things looked very different than they do now.

“While we prepared for the worst, bringing in restrictions to save water to ensure there would be enough if the dry spell continued, the topsy-turvy British weather had other ideas.

“Since we imposed the Temporary Use Ban just over two months ago, we have received an extraordinary amount of rain.”

In Oxfordshire, since the ban was imposed, there has been 731mm of rain measured at Oxfordshire’s three main weather stations.

The average for the same period would have been just 467.5mm.

But it’s not good news for everyone.

Sian Liwicki runs Bothy Vineyard near Frilford Heath which produces up to 8,000 bottles of wine a year.

She said: “If the rain keeps going it could mean we have a tiny harvest when our grape vines start flowering.

“If by autumn the weather is still changeable we will have a lower- quality wine, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.”

The Environment Agency has been testing its river defence barriers and pumps in case they are needed.

Some events have already been hit by the weather, with the Riverside Festival in Charlbury being postponed earlier this week.

Farmer Camilla Puzey said: “Some of our fields are quite close to the River Thames and they can be flooded so we have to keep a close eye on the sheep.

“We want to be able to mow the fields and make hay which will happen at the end of the month. If it is still raining in a few weeks we will be quite worried.”

Meanwhile the broad beans at Millets Farm in Frilford have shot up to more than six feet tall after spending the winter under protective covers.They usually grow to about 3.5 feet.

Standing beneath the stalks, three-year-old Noah Warrilow said: “Jack and the Beanstalk is one of my favourite stories at school.”

Met Office spokesman Helen Chivers said today looked set to be a mix of sunshine and showers to start with before cloud increases and brings rain to the county for the evening and night.

She added: “Some heavy rain is likely overnight into Friday with strong and gusty winds.

“Friday and Saturday look set to be two breezy and showery days with some heavy showers from time to time but temperatures will be around normal.”