Thousands of homes in flood-hit areas are having their water restored, but people have been warned not to drink it. Water officials said they were ahead of schedule in restoring supplies, but it could be another 10 days before drinkable water comes through the pipes. Nevertheless, residents were told no-one need go thirsty in the wake of the floods as there was now plenty of drinking water to go round. Gloucestershire Police Chief Constable Timothy Brain said water bowsers were being refilled up to four times a day - and there were large stocks of bottled drinking water. "No-one need go thirsty. No-one need dehydrate," he told a media conference in Tewkesbury, the town hit worst by the floods.He praised residents for the way in which they had been coping with the crisis, adding: "I'd like to thank the people of Gloucestershire for their good humour and community spirit."Environment Agency official Paul Quinn confirmed the risk of flooding was receding - as were the floodwaters themselves. (Sky News)
