WATER levels in Wimbleball Lake, on Exmoor, have dropped to a record low with the reservoir now less than one-quarter full.

Figures released for the week ending October 2 showed Wimbleball was only 23 per cent of capacity with 4.8 million litres of water against its capacity of 21.3 million litres.

At this time last year, Wimbleball was more than 70 per cent full, while the previous record low was 26.4 per cent experienced during the last drought year of 1995, which was also the last time South West Water (SWW) introduced water usage restrictions.

Wimbleball is SWW’s third-largest reservoir and together the water company’s five largest reservoirs held just 31.5 per cent of their combined capacity.

SWW said since October last year the area had received below average rainfall in eight of the 12 months, which was why in August it introduced a hosepipe ban for the first time in 26 years.

A SWW spokesman said: “While we have had some rain since, it is well below what we would expect at this time of year and our rivers and reservoirs in the region remain very low.

“Looking ahead, the weather is forecast to remain drier than average for this time of year.

“Combining that with high levels of demand, we must continue to take action now.

“A big thank you to everybody for taking action and saving water already.

“It is a team effort and through small changes in water use we can make a big difference.”