A drought order imposed by a water company is causing widespread concern among people in Croydon, according to an MP.

During a House of Commons debate Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway tackled a Government minister about the drought order that was imposed last week.

The order was granted to Sutton and East Surrey Water and places severe restrictions on its customers.

During the debate Mr Ottaway asked Ian Pearson, the Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who granted the order, if he accepted people were worried.

He said: "Does the minister accept there is widespread concern in my constituency which is bang in the middle of the Sutton and East Surrey Water catchment area, over the imposition of a drought order?

"He says he has asked the company to apply the order sensitively.

"Will he explain how one applies a drought order sensitively?

"Does he not accept if, say, a car wash is still allowed to operate, people who drive past it will say, Well, if that's operating, why on earth should I cut down on my consumption at home?'"

In response Mr Pearson said the order was "absolutely necessary". He added: "If we are to protect essential supplies to consumers, and particularly to vulnerable consumers, we need to allow the company to take action.

"However, we need to be clear I have been clear in what I have said to the company that we want to see the maximum water saving for the minimum impact on the consumer.

"That has got to be the objective and I am sure that that is how the company will want to apply the order in these circumstances."