As rivers run dry right across the country, the water companies tell us we mustn't spend more than FOUR minutes in the shower

The south east of England is now officially in a state of drought, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said today.

Some rivers and groundwater levels are lower than during the drought of 1976.

People are being urged to cut down on the amount of water they use, from taking four-minute showers which they can clock using egg-timers being posted to households and turning off the tap while brushing teeth.      Full Read