Desperately-needed rain gardeners and water companies have been hoping for has finally started to fall.

But experts say there needs to be much more before the threat of water shortages is averted.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We have had a good show of rain, but we're looking for twice the normal amount of rainfall in April and May to get things back where they should be."

Oxfordshire residents could still face hosepipe bans this summer following one of the driest winters on record.

One plan to combat future shortages is the introduction of water meters.

Thames Water will start trials of domestic water meters next month in the Faringdon and Wantage area.

The five-year trial is aimed at assessing the impact of water meters on domestic usage.

Less than half the expected rainfall has fallen in the region over the winter months -- making it the third driest winter since records began in 1882.

The lack of rain has left underground resources and river flows low, prompting fears of shortages this summer.

Both Thames Water and the Environment Agency are keeping a close eye on the situation and restrictions have not been ruled out.

Weather experts at the Met Office have blamed the unseasonably dry spell on unusual weather patterns.

"Over the past few months Britain's weather has been dominated by weather systems moving from the north or the east and, though they produce colder weather, they usually produce much less rain," a spokesman said.

The last time water restrictions were imposed in Oxford was 15 years ago.

In 1990 hosepipe bans remained in place for more than five months to combat shortages.

Thames Water is looking at the possibility of building a new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage to meet the area's long-term water needs.

The company is also embarking on a £3.1bn investment programme -- including work to modernise London's leaking water mains.

Bills are set to rise by 24 per cent over the next five years to help fund the work.