Millions may face hosepipe ban after England’s driest July since 1911

The River Test near Calmore in Hampshire. The river has hit low levels because of a lack of rainfall. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Millions of people could spend their summer under a hosepipe ban after parts of England recorded the driest July for more than a century.

Water companies are warning they will have to implement drought measures if the conditions continue and there is not average or above-average rain in coming weeks.