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It might be hammering it down today - but a warning has been issued that England could see widespread drought in 2026.

The Environment Agency says that is the situation the country could face if it goes through a dry winter, following prolonged spells of dry weather during the spring and summer months this year.

Yorkshire and the Midlands are already in a drought, while other parts of the country are still in 'exceptionally dry conditions' - although the North West is considered to be 'recovering' from those conditions.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency, said: “There will be a drought next year, unless we get sustained rainfall through the winter.

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“The severity of that drought

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