Half of England and all of Wales plunged into drought as UK on the verge of fifth heatwave

Nine water companies across England and Wales have imposed hosepipe bans following persistent hot and dry weather

South West Water has announced restrictions on hosepipe use for all 1.8million customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.

Every southern county is now subject to a hosepipe ban

Nine water companies across England and Wales have imposed hosepipe bans following persistent hot and dry weather