SOUTH East Water is giving away five water butts to mark National Gardening Week.

The company is inviting customers to submit their top tip to enhance water efficiency in the garden, as part of a competition to win a water butt during the week-long awareness drive.

Lee Dance, South East Water’s head of water resources, said: “Water use in gardens can soar by up to 70 per cent during the summer months but simple steps, like installing a water butt, will not only save money on your bill but also the environment.

“There are many ways you can save water in the garden such as use plants that don’t need to drink as much water to survive, watering in the early morning and late evening to reduce evaporation, and use bath or dishwater to give plants a drink.”

To enter South East Water’s National Gardening Week competition, e-mail your top water efficiency tip to [email protected], with your name, address and contact number, before midnight next Sunday, April 17.