THAMES Water bosses yesterday ruled out more serious water restrictions as flood alerts were put back on rivers in Oxfordshire.

The company said it would rule out applying for a Drought Order, which is needed to get more restrictions, following the wettest April on record in Oxford. But it warned its hosepipe ban would remain in place until further notice.

A Drought Order allows water companies to apply for a non-essential use ban, with firms being ordered not to clean windows on buildings, trains and buses.

It came after the Environment Agency published a report removing drought status for 19 counties in England, apart from London and the South East.

It also restored flood alerts to parts of the Thames and its tributaries.

Thames Water’s sustainability director Richard Aylard said: “It is a great relief for us that we can now rule out seeking a Drought Order this year. No water company wants to impose restrictions on its customers for any longer than absolutely necessary.”

An update on the hosepipe ban is due early in June.

Yesterday there was an Environment Agency flood alert on the Thames from the Gloucestershire border to King’s Lock at Wolvercote near Oxford.

There were also Flood Alerts on the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook, and the River Ray south of Bicester.

More rain is expected on Monday.