THE South West is no longer in drought after weeks of heavy rain.

The Environment Agency has announced that following the wettest April on record and continuing rainfall in May, it has removed the drought status for Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

According to the agency heavy rainfall has significantly increased river and reservoir levels, reducing pressure on the environment and public water supplies in some parts of England.

However, the Environment Agency has stressed that groundwater supplies remain low across the country with parts of East Anglia and South East England remaining in drought.

The agency said it would continue to keep drought status under continuous review. It stressed that low groundwater levels remained a concern across England, with many still around 1976 levels and unlikely to return to normal levels before winter.

Until the start of April, England had 18 months of very low rainfall - the driest on record in some areas.

After the persistent and heavy rain of recent weeks, the Environment Agency has reported the most rainfall in April for more than 100 years, with river flows exceptionally high and many reservoirs recovering.

Dr Paul Leinster, Environment Agency chief executive, said: "The recent record rainfall has eased pressure on water resources in some parts of England, helping levels in rivers and reservoirs to recover and providing relief to farmers, gardeners and wildlife."

He added: "The Environment Agency will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Low groundwater levels remain a concern across many parts of England, with many still at a similar level to those in 1976 and unlikely to return to normal levels before the winter. A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again."