DORSET is no longer in a status of drought, thanks to the wettest April on record.

The Environment Agency yesterday removed the status of environmental drought for the region that was declared last month.

Dorset saw more than three times its expected rainfall for April, with 158.1mm of rain compared with the 30-year average of 49.4mm.

But the April showers followed a period of low rainfall for the first three months of the year that threatened to dry up parts of rivers and streams.

The change in status means there is unlikely to be a hosepipe ban.

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

He added: “A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again.”