Flood-ravaged areas were spared more chaos on Sunday after heavy overnight rain failed to cause new flooding and forecasters predicted better weather.

Police in Gloucestershire, one of the worst affected counties, had warned people to stay at home on Saturday night or risk becoming stranded.

The Met Office said that only 10mm of rain fell in the region, far less than expected, sparing towns already suffering from the worst flooding in 60 years.

As the clean-up continues, thousands of homes will be without mains water for days to come.

Police said the supply will be restored in stages, although the water will not be safe to drink, even if it is boiled.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel," said Gloucestershire police's Chief Constable Tim Brain. "The restoration of supply is beginning very slowly and cautiously, and quite appropriately so, because we do not want any mishaps at this stage.

"I am grateful for all the patience and forbearance that the people of Gloucester have shown and I am asking for it for a few days more."

A Met Office spokesman said the worst of the rain had moved away and the next few days should see warmer weather, sunny spells and brisk winds.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the forecast would come as a welcome relief to thousands.

"The people who have been through such a terrible time in the last few weeks now have a chance, hopefully, to dry out and recover from the devastating floods that we have had," she told the BBC.

The wettest summer since records began has brought two bouts of flooding to parts of England, killing at least nine people, damaging houses and destroying crops. A man's body was found in a flooded field on Saturday near the market town of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

Insurers estimate the flood damage at about 3 billion pounds.

More than 130,000 homes are relying on bottled water and emergency water tanks on the streets after the floods forced the closure of a water treatment plant. Police increased patrols around emergency tanks after some were vandalised.

The head of the Environment Agency, Baroness Young, said water bills would have to rise to pay for the protection of towns and cities from the unpredictable weather.