Despite heavy rain this week, Wootton Bassett Rugby club is hoping for more as the hosepipe ban threatens to take its toll.

Restrictions put in place by Thames Water earlier this month, which apply to private and council facilities, could see grass seed failing to germinate at its new home in Ballards Ash.

Thames Water has said that rain over the last week has not alleviated the drought, and the ban could continue until Christmas.

Jim Brierley, vice chairman of Wootton Bassett Rugby Club, said: “The season has ended now but it will become a problem in terms of maintenance of the pitches because we would like to re-seed them to prepare for September.

“If we put the grass seed in now but with no means of watering, it could cause huge problems. We are looking into options for collection and storage of water.”

Mr Brierley said the ban could also cause problems when their new clubhouse is built, if the plans are accepted by the council.

“Not only do we need water for the pitches it will also be required for building purposes,” he said.

Thames Water banned hose-pipes after the Environment Agency warned of severe drought in the coming months. Cricket clubs have been given an exemption, allowing them to water the square but not the outfield.

Rod Smith, chairman and groundsman of Wootton Bassett Cricket Club, said: “I emailed Thames Water to say we understand the problem but I was worried about if it gets very dry. We have been planning to buy a water barrel to try and catch the rain.

“If the pitch gets too dry the ball can jump up high or creep along the ground.”

The Environment Agency said rainfall was only likely to replenish groundwater supplies if there were large amounts of steady rain in the next month or two – the chances of which were very slim.

A Thames Water spokesman said: “We are in a drought because 20 out of the last 25 months have seen below average rainfall. We need continuous rain to replenish the groundwater levels that are, in places, even lower than in 1976.”