Recent rains ‘good news for farmers and wildlife’

Parts of England are no longer in drought following heavy rain in recent weeks, the Environment Agency has said.

Drought status has been lifted in 19 areas of south-west England, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire following persistent rainfall, but eastern and south-east England remain in drought because groundwater levels remain low.

Hosepipe bans imposed by seven water companies on customers across south-eastern and eastern England remain in place and water restrictions are still in force in drought-affected regions.

The BBC's Jeremy Cooke said that a very wet April had been "good news for wildlife... good news too for farmers", but that a third dry winter in 2012-2013 would be a real cause for concern.