WATER firm bosses say they are not ruling out a hosepipe ban following the borough's driest spell since 1973.

Thames Water is poised to enforce hosepipe and sprinkler bans if rainfall levels fail to pick up over the coming months.

In 2005 Bexley only received 478mm of rainfall, which is just three-quarters the expected average rainfall of 627mm.

Rainfall levels hit an all-time low in May last year when just 18mm of rain fell, which was 36mm less than the month's expected figure.

Thames Water spokesman Robin Markwell said: "2005 was a very dry year for Bexley.

"Only a wet October bucked the trend with every other month recording below average rainfall."

He added: "With little help from the heavens during 2005, we cannot rule out the possibility of having to impose water restrictions on water use in 2006.

"Bexley falls under a rain shadow which means it receives less rainfall than the west of the country."

Mr Markwell says a "significant" amount of rainfall is needed over the winter months to replenish Bexley's underground water reserves before the warmer months arrive.

If a ban was imposed it would affect residential users.

Commercial users would remain unaffected.

However, director James Evans, of Ruxley Manor garden centre, Sidcup, says a water ban would affect the number of customers buying plants.

He said: "Because we are categorised as agriculture, we are not affected by hosepipe bans.

"But it is certainly very concerning as our customers are."

He added: "If there is a hosepipe ban, then people don't buy as many plants.

"We would have to respond to this by buying in more arid plants which don't need as much water."

Water regulator OFWAT has also confirmed water prices are set to rise in April.

The increase will be used to fund a £3.1bn five-year investment programme to improve the service.

The average bill for Thames Water customers will rise from the current rate of £252 a year to a forecasted £264 an increase of nearly five per cent.

THE FACTS

Jan: 29mm actual, 56mm expected

Feb: 25mm actual, 37mm expected

Mar: 34mm actual, 49mm expected

Apr: 40mm actual, 47mm expected

May: 18mm actual, 52mm expected

Jun: 23mm actual, 51mm expected

Jul: 39mm actual, 47mm expected

Aug: 53mm actual, 54mm expected

Sep: 48mm actual, 56mm expected

Oct: 94mm actual, 59mm expected

Nov: 33mm actual, 59mm expected

Dec: 42mm actual, 60mm expected