A drought has been announced for the West Midlands by the Environment Agency today (July 15).

The region joins the East Midlands, north-west and Yorkshire where droughts were declared last month.

The agency said rainfall was 20 per cent lower than average last month, with it also the hottest June on record.

Some rivers are at their lowest point for 50 years with the River Severn catchment only taking two thirds of what is usually does in June.

An EA statement said: "In the Midlands, public water supplies are currently secure, but we are seeing adverse effects on the natural environment due to the ongoing lack of rain.

"And while groundwater levels have been normal across the region, they are starting to fall.

"Meanwhile, river levels are already low with some river flows in the region at their lowest for June since 1976."

The agency is asking residents to only use the water the "really need" at home.

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