NI Water is inviting households to make the most of the summer break by creating DIY raincatchers to collect rainwater for use in the garden.

A DIY raincatcher, or mini waterbutt, can be made from an empty plastic milk bottle. Once decorated and secured to a fence, it can store rainwater for jobs such as watering plants.

Families who take part can email a photo of their finished raincatcher to the NI Water education team at education@niwater.com for the chance to win a large 210 litre NI Water waterbutt, ideal for watering plants, washing windows or cleaning the car. Entries must be from children living in Northern Ireland.

What you'll need:

- An empty plastic milk bottle — the bigger the better

- Scissors

- Garden string or cable ties

- Decorations such as paint, stickers or waterproof pens

How to make your DIY raincatcher:

1) Clean and dry your milk bottle and remove the label.

2) Carefully cut off the base of the bottle. Younger children should ask an adult for help.

3) Decorate the bottle with bright colours, patterns or water-saving messages. Remember, the bottle will be fixed in place with the lid pointing down, so make sure your design is the right way up.

4) Choose a suitable spot on a garden fence and secure your mini waterbutt using garden string or cable ties. Make sure the cap is on and facing down so the bottle can collect rainwater.

5) Once rainwater has gathered, place a watering can underneath and unscrew the lid to release the water. 6) Send a photo of your finished mini waterbutt to education@niwater.com to be entered into the competition to win a large 210 litre NI Water waterbutt. Entries must be from children living in Northern Ireland.

NI Water Education Officer Anna Killen said: "This is a fun and simple activity for children to enjoy during the school holidays, while also helping them learn more about the importance of saving water.

"We hope lots of children and families will enjoy making their own mini waterbutts and decorating them with colourful designs and water-saving messages. We also have a large NI Water waterbutt to give away for the most creative raincatcher, so don't forget to send your photos to education@niwater.com."

Other easy water-saving tips for home and garden:

1) Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth — a running tap can use six litres of water every minute.

2) Use a bowl for washing vegetables, then reuse this water for plants.

3) Make full use of your washing machine, as half-load programmes can use more than half the water and energy of a full load.

4) Fix leaking taps — a dripping tap can waste more than 60 litres of water a week.

5) Use a watering can instead of a hose, as a hose can use over 500 litres of water an hour.

6) Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run. Change with fresh water every 24 hours and use any leftover water for watering plants or washing vegetables.

7) For more information on saving water, visit niwater.com or Get Water Fit by completing an online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk.