Snow? Sleet? We are heading for a drought

You may think - as you shiver on your way to work through snow, sleet or showers - we've been soaked enough.

But apparently not. It seems the South could be facing a drought this summer unless rainfall increases over the next few months, the Environment Agency warned yesterday.

Unlike other regions of the country, which have had torrential downpours this winter, the South's rain has been well below average.

Only half the normal amount fell between November and January. The agency recorded 39mm, compared with a long-term average of 81mm.

February was also exceptionally dry, with just 20 to 45 per cent of rainfall, making it the fourth below-average month in a row. Recent snowfalls have done little to help - 30cm of snow melts to produce only 3cm of water.

As a result, river flows and groundwater are both lower than usual for this time of year. 'We simply need more water to fall from the sky,' said Peter Midgely of the Environment Agency.

He urged people to help conserve the 'very precious' resource. 'Thousands of litres are wasted every day by dripping taps and people using hosepipes.

'Just switching off the tap when brushing your teeth can save a vast amount of water over the year,' he added.

Southern Water said predicted climate change would lead to longer, hotter, summers and shorter 'refill periods'.