SEVERE water shortages caused by the baking heat across the North West have led to a hosepipe ban in South Lakeland and Eden.

With key reservoirs like Haweswater and Thirlmere alarmingly low, and the met office forecasting dryness in the coming weeks, restrictions - the first to be announced in the country this year - have been put in place in order to control water consumption.

Meanwhile, fires have taken hold in parts of the tinder dry countryside and farmers are struggling with the negative impact of the heat and lack of rain on their livelihoods.

At Thirlmere and Haweswater, which supply much of the North West with water and are collated together in United Utilities' readings, the stock is at 52.7 per cent, having declined by 5.1 per cent since last week. Last year, the average stock level was 78.8 per cent.

Thirlmere currently stands at 7.2m below the top water level.

The ban which aims to address this shortage, coming into play on August 5, prevents people from watering plants or washing vehicles, buildings, pathways and other outdoor surfaces using hosepipes. Filling domestic pools or water features is also prohibited.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: "The lack of rain and high demand for water means that our reservoirs are now lower than we’d like them to be at this time of year.

"That’s why we’ve taken the decision to introduce a hosepipe ban across most of the North West on August 5.

"This means you won’t be allowed to use either a hosepipe or sprinkler as they use an incredible amount of water.

"We know hosepipe bans can be inconvenient but by taking these steps now we can make sure we have enough water for more essential things like drinking, washing and cooking.

"We hope that our customers would respect the ban. If not, we do have the ability to enforce it and they could be subject to a £1,000 personal fine.

"Many customers have already voluntarily been cutting back on using water guzzling devices to do their bit and we are really grateful for that."

Although many have been enjoying the hottest UK summer in decades, the hosepipe ban is indicative of serious problems that the heat is causing across the county.

Firefighters spent two days this week on Raven Crag overlooking Thirlmere tackling a large grass fire which began smouldering on Sunday morning.

Firefighters were called to the blaze, believed to have been started by a camp fire, shortly after 10am. Crews from Ambleside, Windermere, Keswick, Cockermouth, Lazonby and Millom were all called.

The weather conditions are also causing serious problems for farmers.

Rob Matthews, of rural insurance specialists Lycetts, said record temperatures and a lack of rain in recent months is taking its toll on farmers, who are increasingly faced with animal welfare and crop failure concerns.

Though the hosepipe ban may be a necessary inconvenience to residents, Mr Matthews said farmers are the ones really feeling the pressure, with some having to sell livestock they cannot feed.

He warned, if the hot weather continues as expected, farming businesses will have an uphill battle to recover – and could be dealing with the effects of the hot and dry spell until early next year.

"Unfortunately, parched gardens and wilting plants are the least of farmers’ worries," said Mr Matthews. "We have not seen weather like this in decades, and although people up and down the country are basking in the sunshine and enjoying a break from the gloomy British summertime, I would urge them to spare a thought for the struggling farmers, who are growing increasingly desperate with every day.

"Today’s situation is the culmination of weather extremes. A wet summer last year and the Beast from the East in the spring meant farmers were having to house and feed their cattle longer than usual.

"Combine this with the fact there is no grass for cows to graze and farmers are being forced to use their winter stocks – which are already low – to keep them going, and you have a very challenging six months ahead.

Rob said that farmers are also feeling the effects of the hot weather in other ways.