THANK heavens for small mercies. Yorkshire Water has assured us that a hosepipe ban is not on the horizon. Customers, still haunted by memories of the mid-Nineties droughts, had begun to fret at the prospect.

Considering that we have just endured the wettest winter since Noah's day, it is reasonable to assume that Yorkshire Water's reservoirs still contain a drop or two to spare. But, to be on the safe side, someone has scheduled a return to autumnal downpours this week. How thoughtful, to put our minds at rest like that.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, July 10, 2001