The south west has been officially declared to be in drought.

Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, south Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire were yesterday (Tuesday, August 30) moved to drought status - joining Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly which were declared to be in drought last month.

The triggers used to confirm the move to drought status for the region include the hydrological position (including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, and the dryness of soils), as well as the impacts these conditions have on the environment and abstractions.

While the south west has had some rainfall over the last fortnight, it has not been enough to compensate for the long dry period in recent months - some of the driest conditions in nearly 90 years.

Essential water supplies are safe, but Defra and the Environment Agency are urging water companies to continue with their precautionary planning to protect essential supplies in the event of a dry autumn.

The agency is also working with companies and individuals who have abstraction licences allowing them to take water from rivers and groundwater boreholes.

It is asking the public to try to lower demand.

Chris Paul, the Environment Agency’s area drought lead, said: "River levels across our Wessex area are exceptionally low - many showing the lowest flows on record.

"This places incredible strain on local wildlife and this is why we are moving to drought status.

"Action being taken across the area includes additional monitoring of the effects of the dry weather on rivers and responding to environmental emergencies, such as rescuing stranded fish, wherever possible."

The Environment Agency’s water situation national report for July provides a picture of the rainfall, soil moisture deficit, river flows, groundwater levels and reservoir levels over the last month.

The report highlights that it was the driest July across England since 1935, with monthly rainfall totals for the majority of river catchments classed as exceptionally low for the time of year.

There have been five consecutive months of below average rainfall across all geographic regions in England and above average temperatures.

River flows, groundwater levels and reservoir stocks all decreased during July.

With Wessex now declaring a drought, 11 of the 14 Environment Agency areas in England are now in drought status.