A HOSEPIPE ban is set to hit Colchester.

Seven water companies in the South East, including local provider Anglian Water, announced the decision on Monday.

It will affect domestic customers from Thursday, April 5, just before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Customers have been advised to water their gardens using a watering can and wash their cars from a bucket.

The ban will only apply to domestic use of hosepipes for things like gardening, washing windows and filling paddling pools.

Businesses and other commercial operations are not affected.

The step is being taken following the driest 18 month period in more than a century.