Parts of England, including Dorset, are no longer in drought following the wettest April on record and continuing rain this month, the Environment Agency said today.

Drought status has been lifted for 19 counties across the South West of England, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire after heavy, persistent rain boosted river and reservoir levels, reducing pressure on the environment and water supplies.

Water companies in these areas are unlikely to impose hosepipe bans on customers this summer, the Environment Agency said.

Groundwater levels are still low across the country, and parts of East Anglia and the South East remain in drought with hosepipe bans in place.