Welsh Water is urging customers to help reduce water use, with demand soaring during the latest spell of hot weather.

The company says water use is now around 17 per cent higher than normal, with demand staying at elevated levels for longer each day and continuing into the night.

Demand has exceeded 1,000 megalitres a day since last Thursday (July 9) - around 150 million litres more than the usual daily average.

The extra demand is the equivalent of between 264 million and 352 million extra pints of water being used every day.

Welsh Water said it was responding to “unprecedented” levels of demand, with hundreds of frontline staff working around the clock to increase production, move water supplies around the network and repair leaks.

The company has supplied more than one billion litres of drinking water on its busiest day, while 30 water tankers are being used to support supplies across the network.

Around 200 burst mains have been repaired in the past fortnight, along with almost 1,000 leakage repairs.

Welsh Water Chief Customer Officer Kit Wilson said: "The extreme heat and prolonged dry weather in this third heatwave of the year means people are using much more water and for much longer throughout the day.

"Our teams are working around the clock, treating more water, moving supplies with tankers and fixing leaks. But we need customers' help too.

"Small changes made by lots of people would make a big difference. By using water wisely, customers can help us keep water flowing and avoid the need for further measures if the hot weather continues."

Customers are being asked to take simple steps, including using watering cans instead of sprinklers, allowing lawns to recover naturally, reusing paddling pool water on gardens and only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

Welsh Water also advised people to chill water in the fridge rather than leaving taps running until the water becomes cold.