The UK Government’s summer hosepipe ban has had the unintended effect of reminding millions of people they own a hose.
“I hadn’t used mine in years,” said Darren Price, 38. “It’s like trying not to vape. The second someone mentions it, that’s all you want to do.”
Jim Henshaw, 41, also admitted he’d used his hose several times since the restrictions began, although insisted they were only “a few quick ones”.
Social psychologist Dr Elaine Morris said future bans may be more effective if the Government simply avoided mentioning them altogether.