Pleas to cut water use as rain stays away

Dry Baitings reservoir

- By Steph Spyro

ENGLAND is facing a major water shortfall because of a lack of rain, experts have warned.

Five areas are officially in drought, with six more having prolonged dry weather following the driest six months to July since 1976.

Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency’s director of water, said: “The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment.