Action needed to save water, minister urges

Image source, University of Exeter/Press Association Image caption, Severe drought conditions have been declared across parts of southern England

The government is urging people to save water as it warns action is needed to prevent severe drought conditions becoming "the new normal".

Water and flooding minister Emma Hardy told MPs current drought conditions "is something we have not experienced for decades" and urged people to "think about ways to use water wisely over the coming weeks".

Severe drought was declared across parts of southern England on Thursday after months of low rainfall.

Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex are all affected by the move announced by the Environment Agency.

The government said supplies would not be interrupted but declaring severe drought would ensure "proactive steps are taken to safeguard water before any disruption occurs".