The six regions of England where severe drought has been declared

• The Environment Agency has declared a severe drought across parts of Southern England following record-breaking summer heat and low rainfall.
• The areas affected are parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex after experiencing their driest April to September in over a century.
• Environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle and Environment Agency chief Philip Duffy have urged the public to use less water to help preserve falling supplies.
• Water companies have been instructed to activate drought plans, which may result in further non-essential water restrictions such as hosepipe bans.
• The critical conditions follow England's driest start to the year since 1976, putting immense pressure on public water supplies, agriculture and wildlife.

IN FULL

Severe drought declared across parts of England with water resources ‘under immense pressure’