A pipeline is being laid to pump water into Sussex from neighbouring regions as the county tries to avert a looming drought.

The action plan was among emergency measures drawn up yesterday by seven water companies, which joined forces to discuss ways of easing a water shortage caused by the driest year on record.

Reservoirs in Sussex will be boosted by transferring water from Portsmouth and Bewl Water, near Wadhurst.

In the meantime, the seven companies are urging customers to curb their water use in a bid to protect what is left of supplies.

Normally, lists of tips on how to conserve water are released in scorching summer.

However, the South-East has had the driest August and September since 1873.

Reservoirs, which are normally full at this time of year, are drying up and water suppliers have had to call on the public for help.

Southern Water and South-East Water were among the seven firms at the meeting in Worthing, called by the Environment Agency.

A spokesman for the agency said: "If we do not get more than the average winter rainfall this year we may get water shortages in some areas of the county next year.

"One day of rain is not enough. We need a long, wet winter to make up for the long, hot summer."

Martin Baggs, Southern Water's operations director, said: "We are working hard to move water around the region and would ask our customers to help by using water wisely."

Sussex is in the driest part of the UK.

Bewl Water, which can hold 31,000 million litres, is only half full, compared with 80 per cent full last year.

Ardingly Reservoir, which serves the Mid Sussex area, is just 30 per cent full, compared with 91 per cent at the same time last year.

Arlington Reservoir, which serves Eastbourne and Hailsham, and Darwell reservoir, near Hastings, are both only 33 per cent full.