UNITED Utilities has confirmed whether it is considering imposing a hosepipe ban.

The Warrington-based firm, which provides water across the north west, says that restricting use is not being considered at present.

However, it is encouraging residents to be sensible when using water and not to waste it.

This comes as the Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat in Cheshire and areas of the north west.

Forecasters say the alert has been issued due to a hot spell that will develop across parts of England and Wales later this week, with north west temperatures reaching 30C.

The warning will come into force at midnight tomorrow, Wednesday, and it will remain in place through to midnight on Sunday.

With the latest heatwave coming after months of low rain, which have left the countryside and urban parks and gardens tinder-dry, households in some areas are being urged not to light fires or have barbecues.

Scientists warn that the likelihood of droughts occurring is becoming higher, with two UK water companies announcing hosepipe bans and others warning they may have to follow suit.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We are not considering any restrictions on use.

“Whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely.

“This saves energy and money, and it is good for the environment.”

The latest update from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology shows river flows were below normal in July in most of the UK.

There were ‘exceptionally’ low flows in central and southern England, but widely normal levels in north-west Britain.

Flows are likely to remain below normal for much of the UK in August, and stay exceptionally low in central, southern and eastern England for the next three months to October, the analysis said.