Drought could cause rise in food prices

Farmers have warned that the drought - which has been declared in the south-east and is likely to spread during the summer - could lead to food shortages and food price rise.

Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers Union, said: "As sure as night follows day if it doesn’t rain, food prices will go up. I can guarantee you that."

With Met Office predictions suggesting the dry period will continue, the likelihood of the 120% of normal rainfall needed to regulate the situation seems slim, reports the Telegraph.

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, has said that measures should be introduced in order to conserve water and golf courses should go unwatered in order to irrigate crops.

With household budgets already under pressure from the rising cost of living and widespread pay freezes the prospect of increased food prices will be an unwelcome expense.

A recent survey by Mumsnet found that some parents are going without food in order to feed their children.