4mDrought declared across eight areas of England
An official drought has been declared across eight areas of England – amid the driest summer for 50 years.
It means water companies can take tougher measures to conserve stocks – while the Environment Agency has warned it will take “weeks worth” of rain to restore supplies.
Drought status now applies to a swathe of areas from Devon and Cornwall to East Anglia and up to Lincolnshire – as well as north and south London.
While a Met Office amber warning for extreme heat is in place until midnight on Sunday.