England's drought is worsening as another spell of extreme heat arrives, with the Met Office issuing an amber warning for Thursday as temperatures are expected to reach 37C or 38C in parts of eastern and south-east England and the Midlands. Southern Water has applied for a non-essential use drought order while a hosepipe ban remains in force across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Defra is considering the application alongside a separate River Test drought order.
