Areas in the Midlands and South West have now been included in the official drought map, after a lack of rain (less than 60% of the seasonal average) over the past two winters "left rivers and ground waters depleted", according to the agency.

The Midlands covers Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The South West meanwhile includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, parts of Hampshire and most of Wiltshire.

Head of water resources at the Environment Agency Trevor Bishop said, "We are working with businesses, farmers and water companies to plan ahead to meet the challenges of a continued drought.

"While we've had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away and we would urge everyone - right across the country - to use water wisely now, which will help to prevent more serious impacts next year."

Rivers such as the Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon are all at their lowest ever levels. The River Lankill in Derbyshire has dried up completely, meaning fish had to be rescued. The drought is also affecting crop production and wildlife preservation.

No further hosepipes bans, currently impacting on 20 million people, were announced in the statement.