The Midlands is no longer in official drought status after the recent rainfall, the Environment Agency has confirmed.

South West England and parts of Yorkshire are also no longer in official drought status given the recent rainfall and it is unlikely that water companies will impose hosepipe bans in these areas.

It has been the wettest April on record and the continuing rainfall in May has significantly increased river and reservoir levels, reducing pressure on the environment and public water supplies in some parts of England.

But parts of East Anglia and South East England remain in drought with water company restrictions in place on public water use.