Eight years ago Yorkshire Water's reservoirs were dangerously low. Weeks of sunshine and no rain meant a summer of hosepipe bans and no car washing for thousands of homes.

While many people in the region got their supply from Northumbrian Water, with its vast Kielder reservoir, Yorkshire Water customers were left dry by the infamous drought of 1995.

But this year, despite experiencing the hottest June since 1976 and forecasters' predicting temperatures above 30C this week, Yorkshire Water said its supplies could now last 12 months.

"There is absolutely no cause for concern - our reservoirs are on average more than 85 per cent full and, touch wood, I doubt we will ever experience the problems we did in 1995 again," said spokesman Craig Spence.

The firm, serving households in districts including Hambleton, Richmondshire and Harrogate, has invested heavily to ensure a constant flow of water.

"Since the drought, hundreds of millions of pounds has been ploughed in to create the Yorkshire Grid - a pipe system that links all our reservoirs to be able to supply water wherever the demand," said Mr Spence.

The company was accused of wasting water supplies during the memorable hot summer through leakages in its mains - another problem that has been addressed.

"When we took on the region's supplies, many of the pipes were from Victorian times and leaks were not uncommon," said Mr Spence.

Pipes have also been revamped and last year Yorkshire Water became the first water company in the world to successfully use hydrophones - underwater microphones - to pinpoint leaks.

Mr Spence said: "Compared to eight years ago we now we save enough water each day to serve a city the size of Leeds."

A spokesman for water regulator Ofwat said improved water conservation nationwide should mean no supply problems anywhere during the hot weather.