Millions of homes across London and the UK have been hit with a hosepipe ban.

Some 26 million people have their hosepipe use restricted as the country braces for its fifth heatwave of the year.

South West Water was the latest and eighth water company to impose a ban across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly.

It comes as the hot weather continues to take its toll on the capital and the rest of the UK, with south-east England now seeing its longest unbroken spell of no recorded rain since 1997.

An amber heat health alert is in place across most of England as temperatures are forecast to hit 36C on Thursday this week.

The relentless heat and lack of rainfall have prompted water companies to keep a close eye on resources.

Thames Water and Affinity Water have both imposed bans on some parts of London last month.

In a statement on its website, Thames Water said it had announced a ban because of “prolonged dry weather and recent heatwaves, very low rainfall levels, higher than normal water demand, and forecasts for continued hot, dry weather.”

“We’ve been working around the clock to maintain water supplies, but we now need everyone’s help to reduce non-essential water use,” the notice read.

The ban means customers must not use hosepipes for any non-essential activities.

South-East England has seen its longest unbroken spell of no rainfall for more than 30 years, according to the Met Office.

An average of zero rainfall has been measured across the organisation’s weather stations in the region for 17 days in a row, from July 2 to July 18.

London recorded some showers in parts of central and south-west London last week. But July was still the capital’s driest ever month on record, with not a single drop of rain recorded.

However, with no rainfall forecast for at least another week, concerns continue to be raised about drought conditions and wildfire risks in the capital.

Farmers have also raised concerns about livestock and crops.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said in a statement: “We know these conditions are having a significant impact on communities, farmers and businesses across the country.

“Our climate is changing. Droughts are becoming more common, which is why we’re focused on both the immediate response and long-term resilience.

“That includes working through the national drought group with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.

“And we’re also backing major investment in water infrastructure, including new reservoirs, whilst making clear that water companies must do more to cut leaks and improve resilience.”

South East Water was the first company to announce a ban on July 3, affecting customers in the Kent region. This includes places such as Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury.

Cambridge Water also issued a temporary ban for the first time in 30 years for parts of Cambridgeshire.

Some 24 towns across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will also become subject to a hosepipe ban announced by Southern Water while Anglian Water introduced its first hosepipe ban in a decade on Friday morning.

Restrictions are now in place for regions supplied by Anglian Water, including parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex.

Under temporary hose pipe bans, households cannot use hosepipes for non-essential tasks. That means you can’t water your garden, fill up your paddling pool, or wash your car while the ban is in place.

However, you can use hosepipes for the welfare of animals and pets.

If you don’t follow the rules, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.