Water rationing looms after record dry spell

Hosepipe bans are likely to return this year after England had the driest February in 30 years.

Just 15.3mm of rainfall was recorded across the country last month, with Bedfordshire, Greater London and Essex among the driest. East Anglia, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly remain in drought status.

Dr Stephen Burt of Reading University said if this month remains dry the return of water restrictions “must be almost inevitable”.