Hopes of a "barbecue summer" have been dashed by the recent heavy unseasonal rain over the last two months, according to Sutton's water provider.

But despite the increased rainfall, Sutton and East Surrey Water are still urging residents to use water with care.

The increase follows the driest spring for more than 100 years when just 30mm fell in March, April and May - the average for that period is 161 mm.

The water company claim they recorded 82mm in July which is a 32 per cent rise on the month's average (59mm).

Water resources in the region are currently adequate to meet normal demand levels over coming months, but Sutton and East Surrey Water is still asking customers to be frugal.

Mike Hegarty, Sutton and East Surrey Water’s Operations Director, said: “Although the recent rainfall will have helped to reduce demand - when it rains, people don’t water their gardens - it doesn’t generally help restore our underground water resources.

"Summer rainfall tends to evaporate or merely soak into dry upper level soils where it is taken up by growing plants.”

For more Advice on efficient garden watering and saving water in the home can be found on Sutton and East Surrey Water’s website waterplc.com.