Yorkshire Water today dispelled fears that the region's taps could run dry following one of the driest summers on record.

The Bradford-based company dismissed suggestions of a crisis despite weather forecasters predicting that the dry spell could continue.

Reservoirs in the district are lower than average for the time of year but still stand at more than half full, a Yorkshire Water spokesman said.

"This has been one of the hottest and driest summers on record in Yorkshire, yet water supplies have been maintained across the region and will continue to be maintained for the foreseeable future, despite the ongoing dry weather," he said.

"Customers' taps are running and our reservoirs are still more than half full."

Bradford is mainly served by the reservoirs in the Washburn Valley near Otley which are above 50 per cent in capacity.

But the spokesman said that, unlike during the drought crisis in 1995, water could now be easily shifted around the region should shortages occur.

Improvements which have cut leakages from the system by more than 40 per cent had contributed to its ability to cope with the lack of rainfall, he added.

The Environment Agency also played down any talk of a crisis, but stressed householders should always use water sparingly.

"None of us can make it rain, but we can affect how much water is taken out of the environment by minimising the water we use, even during the autumn and winter period," said regional strategy unit manager Phil Younge.

"Although we would expect more rainfall at this time of year, we can't guarantee that will happen, so we have plans in place to make sure that we can deal with whatever situation occurs."

A Press Association weather spokesman said the dry spell was likely to continue in Bradford until the weekend.

A band of cloud could bring some light rainfall on Saturday night, but there were signs that next week will bring more usual autumnal weather.