Drought declared in East and West Midlands in driest start to year since 1976 - Three further areas – Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, East Anglia, and Thames area – move into prolonged dry weather status.

The East and West Midlands have officially entered drought, joining the North West and Yorkshire, after yet another hot and dry spell of weather. The Environment Agency announcement follows England's driest start to the year since 1976, leaving many rivers across the Midlands at extremely low levels.

The declaration comes after the country recently experienced its third heatwave of the summer and with reservoir levels falling in many areas.