THE threat of a hosepipe ban hitting parts of North Yorkshire has now been lifted, following weeks of heavy rain.

The Derwent catchment area in the east of the county was declared a drought zone by the Environment Agency earlier this year.

But in the wake of the wettest April on record and continuing rainfall in May, river and reservoir levels have increased significantly, reducing pressure on the environment and public water supplies.

And after revierwing the situation the Agency yesterday lifted the drought status from the county.

However parts of East Anglia and south-east England remain in drought with restrictions in place on public water use.

The Environment Agency will continue to keep drought status under continuous review.

But it stressed that low groundwater levels remain a concern across England, with many still around 1976 levels and unlikely to return to normal levels before winter.

Chief executive Dr Paul Leinster said: “Water resources across England and Wales are kept constantly under review.

“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.”

However he added: “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.”