While we wallow in floodwater, Thames Water has finally lifted the hose-pipe ban – just in time for Christmas.

The ban imposed on August 24, during the heatwave, has at last been lifted. So we can now water our gardens and clean our filthy cars without fearing a £1,000 fine.

Apparently, the water company has decided that the ground is wet enough now to contribute to underground water sources and local rivers.

The company may also have noticed the burst pipes spewing out water onto roads and footpaths in Waverley because should temperatures fall, there will be a spate of motor and pedestrian accidents.