The north west of England is now in drought due to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers following one of the driest springs on record.
The Environment Agency (EA) said Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, and Cumbria and Lancashire have moved from ‘prolonged dry weather’ to ‘drought’ status.
Despite recent rain, water levels in the region remain low, the public body said, although no other areas of the country are in drought.
A spokesman said: ‘The north west of England has entered drought status due to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers.
‘No other areas in England are in drought and we continue to monitor the situation closely.’
