The six regions of England where severe drought has been declared

• The Environment Agency has declared a severe drought across parts of Southern England following record-breaking summer heat and low rainfall.
• The areas affected are parts of Cornwall , Devon , Dorset , Somerset , East Sussex and West Sussex after experiencing their driest April to September in over a century.
• Environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle and Environment Agency chief Philip Duffy have urged the public to use less water to help preserve falling supplies.
• Water companies have been instructed to activate drought plans, which may result in further non-essential water restrictions such as hosepipe bans.
• The critical conditions follow England's driest start to the year since 1976, putting immense pressure on public water supplies, agriculture and wildlife.

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