Drought over after just two dry days in three weeks

Shropshire was officially taken out of drought this afternoon – after just two rain-free days in the three weeks since the water crisis was declared.

The county was officially declared a drought area on April 16 – but an inch of rain (25mm) fell the very next day, signalling the start of the wettest period on record.

Four-and-a-half inches of rain (115mm) have fallen since the drought was imposed and April was declared the wettest on record.

• Check the latest local weather forecasts

Before the deluge, experts warned special measures to save water were likely to be in place until Christmas.

But today the Environment Agency said the heaviest rainfall for 100 years had 'significantly' increased river and reservoir levels, reducing pressure on supplies. As a result, 19 counties in South West England, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire are no longer in drought.

The agency also today declared a flood alert for the Severn-Vyrnwy confluence.

In the agency's report for April, figures show that the West Midlands saw 5.1 inches (132mm) of rainfall – 250 per cent of the average.

The Met Office at RAF Shawbury said it had recorded only two completely dry days since April 16 – on May 6 and 8.

A spokesman said RAF Shawbury would usually see two inches (50mm) of rainfall during the same period.

However, the Environment Agency warned 42 per cent of groundwater supplies remain low.