Would you shop a hosepipe ban rule-breaker?

People in parts of Lincolnshire affected by a hosepipe ban are being urged to stick to the rules.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said "the vast majority of customers" were "playing their part", with the company seeing a fall in demand since restrictions were introduced on 11 July.

The company said anyone caught breaching the rules would usually be reminded "why they're in place", but in serious or repeated cases rule-breakers risked receiving a fine of up to £1,000.

The appeal came as a YouGov poll carried out across seven water company areas found one in 10 households would flout the rules. The same number of householders said they would report a neighbour.

People in the Lincolnshire market town of Louth told the BBC they were playing by the rules, but they admitted they would be reluctant to report a neighbour - unless they deemed it a significant breach of the rules.

Joyce Harrison, 84, from Market Rasen, said she was obeying the rules, even though she was exempt due to having a blue badge.

"I've even stopped using the watering can, so everything is dead," she said.

"My grass is dead, my plants are dead, my pots are dead."

Harrison added: "It's OK, I mean they are replaceable - it's not the end of the world - everyone is in the same boat."

While she said she was unlikely to report someone flouting the ban, she might ask if they were aware of the rules.

Alex Salisbury, 25, said he had just reseeded his lawn when the ban came into force.

"I'm watering my plants with a bucket at the minute," he said.

Salisbury said he would be reluctant to report people breaching the rules, unless they were "doing it repeatedly".

"We've all got to stick together - do out bit," he added.

Meanwhile, Mike Radford said: "We are all law abiding people here in Louth."

As for reporting someone, he said it would depend on the situation.

"If they are elderly, no - if they are young and fit than I think we should."

Glynis Jones, 73, and and Ian Jones, 62, from Marsh Chapel, said they were abiding by the ban.

He said everyone needed to do their bit, but he added the water companies also needed to play their part in fixing leaks.

"That's probably more than what the hosepipe people are using," he added.

"It's a two-way thing."

He said he would also be reluctant to report someone.

"If it's your neighbour, you could start world war three," he said. "It's perhaps not worth it."

Rob Heywood, 43, from Stallingborough, said he would not report anyone.

He questioned whether using a hosepipe to wash a car was better than using buckets of water.

"What I don't get is you're not allowed to use a hosepipe to wash your car, or water your plants, but you can use a bucket and water.

"I think you use more with a bucket and water," he added.

In a statement, Anglian Water, which serves nearly seven million customers, said: "Weeks of hot, dry weather and record water use mean we're using more water than ever before.

"These restrictions will help make sure there's enough water for homes, businesses and essential services, while protecting our local rivers and the environment."

Lincolnshire Police asked people to contact Anglian Water to report a breach, but also advised caution.

"We'd advise making sure there isn't an innocent explanation first, that they are not using collected rainwater, or are not exempt," a spokesperson added.

The YouGov Poll was based on responses in seven areas with a temporary ban in place: Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water.

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