DORSET is no longer in drought following the wettest April on record and continuing rain at the start of this month.

The Environment Agency lifted the status for the whole of the South West including parts of Hampshire as well as the Midlands and Yorkshire after heavy rain boosted river and reservoir levels. Water companies are now “unlikely” to impose hosepipe bans on customers this summer, the chief executive of the Environment Agency has said.

Dr Paul Leinster said: “The Environment Agency will obviously continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

“Low groundwater levels remain a concern across many parts of England, with many still at a similar level to those in 1976 and unlikely to return to normal levels before the winter.

“A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again.”