Pleas to preserve water accompanied an outright hosepipe ban imposed by Yorkshire Water as unprecedented temperatures combined with record low levels of rainfall to create a perfect storm of conditions.

A hosepipe ban comes into force on August 26 for hundreds of thousands of customers across North Yorkshire, including in Thirsk, Bedale and Northallerton, while neighbours in Stokesley, Durham and Darlington will not have restrictions because they fall into the Northumbrian Water area.

Yorkshire Water is asking people not to wait for the ban but to take action now to restrict water use.

Yorkshire Water director, Neil Dewis said: “Parts of Yorkshire have seen the lowest rainfall since our records began more than 130 years ago. The hot, dry, weather means that Yorkshire’s rivers are running low and our reservoirs are around 20 per cent lower than we would expect for this time of year.

"We’ve been doing everything we can to avoid putting in restrictions but unfortunately, they’re now necessary as part of our drought planning. We’re grateful to our customers, who have been saving water where they can this summer. It is really important that we all continue to do so, to help protect our water resources and the environment."

The Environment Agency declared a drought in Yorkshire on Tuesday, along with southern, central and eastern areas of England because of the long term drop in rainfall which means water companies can withdraw more water from rivers if needed and impose greater restrictions.

From Friday, August 26, domestic users across North Yorkshire will be expected to ditch hosepipes in favour of buckets and watering cans, and restrict domestic use as much as possible such as reducing time in showers.

Anyone who repeatedly flouts the restrictions can be fined up to £1,000. Businesses which rely on water are not included in the hosepipe ban.

Alistair Roberts at Thirsk Garden Centre, which is holding its first summer market this weekend on August 20 and 21 said it is trying to reduce water consumption as much as possible and recommend drought tolerant plants for customers.

“We will be taking hosepipes off the shelves," he said. "I think the heat has affected shoppers, so we are all looking forward to cooler weather and rain.”

Yorkshire Water has come under fire over the amount of water wasted, with more than 200 million litres lost every day through leaks in the system, which supplies five million people. The company said it has spent more than £50m in recent years trying to tackle the problem.

But an exasperated resident in Aiskew, Bedale said: “As far as I'm aware restrictions will be imposed from August 26 and yet Yorkshire Water have refused to send anyone out to a property in Aiskew which is spewing out water from its drive and has been since the early hours of this morning.

"After explaining this was not just a trickle, I was told by Yorkshire Water that they were only obliged to send someone out within the next two days. Given the current situation with water shortages I find this appalling.”

Meanwhile, Northumbrian Water said: “Despite high demand, below-average rainfalls, and low water levels at Northumbrian Water's reservoirs which include Kielder Water and Derwent Reservoir in County Durham, no restrictions on water use are expected in the parts of Tyne and Wear, Teesside, Northumberland and County Durham that Northumbrian Water supplies.”