Return of the hosepipe ban?

There are widespread fears that much of the UK will be subject to a hosepipe ban this summer after one of the driest winters the country has ever seen.

Unseasonable conditions this year has seen England receive less rainfall than that experienced ahead of the drought in the summer of 1976.

Then it led to the spread of wild fires and extensive damage to crops, which could occur again this year.

Simon Ross, Regional Water Resource Manager for the Environment Agency, said: "We would expected moisture levels to be much higher at this time of year."

He went on to say that recent snow across the country would help to prevent drought conditions, but not completely rectify the situation.

East Anglia and the south of the country are expected to be the worst hit by water shortages and a hosepipe ban may be put in force.

The Environment Agency is charged with the job of making sure water companies have plans in place to deal with drought situations when they occur.