Britain's first hosepipe ban of the year imposed as village residents forbidden from taking a bath or watering their gardens

The restrictions prohibit residents from watering gardens and require them to take showers rather than baths.

Authorities have also asked villagers to refrain from using taps during peak times to help conserve dwindling water supplies.

Officials have warned the ban could remain in place throughout the summer months unless the area receives at least a fortnight of sustained rainfall.

One local explained that the ban is the earliest yet for the village.

While the water supply is fairly consistent throughout the year, the villager said that the system relies on drawing water from a disused mine when the level drops.

However, the mine has started to dry out, so locals are having to be extra careful.

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The village has depended on its independent water supply from a local natural spring for nearly two centuries.

A resident told the BBC: "I'm delighted we have a hosepipe ban, to stop those idiots who spray their lawn the minute a bit of brown appears.

"All the grass grows back two days after the rain. It's stupid and very selfish."

One other villager believes that most people will be able to cope with it after a particularly dry spring.

Another local remained optimistic with the ban, believing that the residents of the small village would be able to cope with the implemented measures.

She told the BBC: "I wouldn't like to change it, I love the water, I drink a lot of the water, and I think it tastes the best.

"I think it's a nice thing to have for the village, its own water supply."

However, they are still concerned about the increasingly frequent extreme weather events occurring across the UK, suggesting that the village may need alternative plans in case such events happen again.