The area has enjoyed less than 2 per cent of the rainfall expected for July so far, leaving river flows at a perilously low level and swathes of land completely dried out.

Warnings of drought come as millions of households are hit by hosepipe bans across the country

A drought has been declared in North Wales and the Upper Severn after extreme weather, heatwaves, and wildfires - the area received just 3% of its average July rainfall