Drought status means we should 'use water wisely'

Parts of England are officially in a drought following the dry spring, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said.

Areas of East Anglia are in drought, with parts of the south-west and south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales in a "near-drought" state.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is set to hold a second drought summit to review the impacts of the continuing dry weather.

She said: "Water companies are confident that supplies are high enough so that widespread restrictions to the public are unlikely."

But the minister urged people to "use water wisely".