The UK's first hosepipe ban of the year has come into place - and it's Yorkshire that's been hit with restrictions.
Yorkshire Water has brought hosepipe restrictions into place over the weekend after the 'driest and warmest spring' in 132 years.
Our region has been declared in drought, with Yorkshire Water working for several months to find and fix leaks and move water via a regionwide grid system.
Residents have been encouraged to reduce their water consumption since spring, but a temporary hosepipe ban has been brought into force anyway.
It means that people in Yorkshire aren't allowed to water their gardens or clean their cars with a hosepipe; fill or maintain paddling pools, hot tuns, cold-water plunge pools or swimming pools; and clean paths or patios with a hosepipe - among others.
Instead, locals are advised to use tap water from a bucket or water can, or use rainwater from a water butt.
Yorkshire Water’s director of water, Dave Kaye, said: "We are implementing the hosepipe restrictions now to help conserve water for the coming months and to protect Yorkshire's environment. As a result, people are being asked to stop using their hosepipes to water their gardens, wash their cars or for any other activities.
"Introducing these restrictions is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we’ve been doing everything we can to avoid having to put them in place.
“Our region experienced an extremely dry spring, which resulted in the region entering drought status in June. Usually, spring is a time when our groundwater sources and reservoirs continue to be topped-up by changeable weather, but this has not been the case in 2025, with our reservoir stocks falling since the last week of January.
“Of course, we have seen a few periods of changeable weather more recently, which helped slightly with the water resources picture. But these have been followed by constant high temperatures and more dry weather, which causes increased water usage. Between April and June, we supplied an additional 4.3 billion litres of water compared with a typical year.
“We’re grateful to our customers, who have been saving water where they can this year already. It is really important that we all continue to do so.”
What's included in the Yorkshire hosepipe ban:
Using a hosepipe to water a garden
Using a hosepipe to clean private vehicles or boats
Watering plants with a hosepipe on a domestic or other non-commercial premises
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming, paddling pool, hot tub or cold-water plunge pool with a hosepipe
Using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond or ornamental fountain using a hosepipe
Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
For more information on what is included in the restrictions, go to Yorkshire Water’s dedicated hosepipe ban webpage.
After being 'missing' for decades, a long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is set to air on the BBC this month.
In what is already gearing up to be a memorable moment, the episode - which was first broadcast on the BBC on 16 September 1968, and was thought to have been lost forever before being recovered - will be shown on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer in a couple of weeks time to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100 years old.
The episode was discovered by Film Is Fabulous! - which is a charitable trust run by film collectors and television enthusiasts.
It was found in the estate of a former television industry professional, before being returned to the BBC.
Audiences tuning in to the episode can expect to see sketches written by Sid Green and Dick Hills - with Ann Hamilton appearing as Pauline in a sketch set in a nudist colony, while Jenny Lee-Wright plays Eric’s niece, a balloon dancer.
📢 ‘Missing’ episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is coming to the BBC!
A long-lost episode first broadcast in 1968 will be shown on BBC Four and @BBCiPlayer on Thursday 14 May, to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100
It also includes a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who enjoyed hits in the 1960s.
This 'lost' programme is the third episode from Morecambe and Wise’s first series after returning to the BBC, following a period working with commercial television.
Eric Morecambe’s daughter, Gail, has described the recovery of the episode as 'a lovely surprise', adding: "I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years."
Gary Morecambe, Eric's son, added: "I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful. Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was 12."
This long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show will be broadcast on BBC Four at 8pm on on Thursday 14 May, and available to watch whenever you like on BBC iPlayer from then.
Featured Image - BBC | Film is Fabulous!
News
The world’s smallest pub is opening in Leeds’ biggest beer garden this weekend
Clementine Hall
A teeny tiny micro-pub is coming to Leeds city centre this bank holiday weekend.
This weekend, from Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 May, Rita’s in Leeds will host the arrival of a travelling micro-pub dubbed the World’s Smallest, beating out World Record holders, in their huge beer garden.
Licor 43's Tiny Taberna features a 2.15m x 1.5m space that has been drawing crowds across the UK for doing something very simple, very well: shrinking the pub experience down to its absolute smallest form and pairing it with one of the country’s most talked-about viral drinks trends.
You won't be able to get your average pint here though, this adorable little bar will only serve Rita’s Mini Beer, commonly known as the Baby Beer.
Image: Supplied
The Baby Beer is a shot made with Licor 43 and topped with a creamy layer to mimic the look of a perfectly poured pint. And trust us, it's just as delicious as it is cute.
Made with Licor 43, mixed with a velvety layer of cream liqueur, the flavour is indulgent with notes of vanilla, caramel and creamy sweetness.
Image: Supplied
You may have seen these drinks online too, with videos of the Baby Beer going viral across social media racking up millions of views.
Styled as a Spanish-inspired bar, the Tiny Taberna invites you to gather with mates, step inside and enjoy a Baby Beer in this immersive and fun space. Obviously, you'll have to take some great pics for the gram too.
Rita’s beer garden, already known as one of the city’s largest, will not only play host to the pint-sized pub, but will also be serving their usual cocktail menu throughout the weekend.
Image: Supplied
The Tiny Taberna will be at Rita’s Leeds for two days only, from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May, serving Mini Beers from 7-9pm.
The best part? Those who purchase any beer this Bank Holiday weekend will be able to claim a free Mini Beer from the installation with a voucher. We'll see you there.
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2025 
