THE DROUGHT gripping Uttlesford is set to continue to Christmas and possibly beyond, the Environment Agency have said.

Officials stress that public water supplies are unlikely to be affected by the ongoing drought, but are reiterating calls from consumers to combat the dry conditions by using scarce water wisely.

Trevor Bishop, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: “A longer term drought, lasting until Christmas and perhaps beyond, now looks more likely.

“While we’ve had some welcome rain recently, the problem has not gone away, and we would urge everyone – right across the country – to use water wisely now, which will help to prevent more serious impacts next year.”

The Environment Agency has today (Monday) declared official drought zones in a further 17 English counties. Environmental experts said dry weather over the past few months had left some rivers in England exceptionally low and had now extended the country’s “drought map” into the Midlands and the South West.

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said: “As more areas of the UK move into drought it is vital that we use less water to protect the public’s water supply in the driest areas of the country.

“It is for everyone to share the responsibility to save water. We are asking everyone to help by using less water and starting now.”