Shropshire and Mid Wales could be hit by hosepipe bans this summer, with the region still worryingly dry despite last week’s floods, the Environment Agency said today.

Agency officials say months of unseasonably dry weather have left the area at ‘high risk of drought’.

They said water levels were low in areas including Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East Sussex and Kent.

The EA said above average rainfall was needed over the next few months to bring water levels up to where they need to be.

Although rainfall increased in December, river and reservoir levels in the Severn catchment area remain low.

An EA report on December rainfall says: “Despite flows increasing at all sites within Severn, Wye and Trent Basins, many still remain low for the time of year.

“Groundwater levels continue to decline at the majority of sites across the Midlands.”.

In its January Drought Management briefing, the EA said: “Parts of the east, Midlands and south east of England are still vulnerable to drought in spring and summer 2012. We need above average rainfall for the remainder of the recharge period for the significant recovery of groundwater.”

It added: “These areas remain at high risk of drought later this year if we do not continue to have prolonged periods of rainfall.

“Drought could have significant impacts on the environment and habitats, agriculture and navigation. It may also lead to more drought permits and customer restrictions on public water supplies remain possible.”

According to EA figures, rainfall across the Shropshire plain was below average in every month from March to November, except June. Rainfall rose above average in June and again in December.

Last month saw the highest amount of recorded rain with more than 80mm (3ins) falling in the county compared to an average of 70mm (2.75ins).

By Peter Finch