Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, with 45 million people living in affected areas, following a dry start to August.
The National Drought Group has warned all regions of the country are experiencing pressure on their water resources – with increasing impacts across agriculture, public supplies, navigation, and the environment.
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a “devastating” blaze on internationally protected heathland in the New Forest National Park, sparked by a vehicle which caught fire.
The area hit by the blaze is protected heathland which is home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.
Wildfires are also burning in Wales and Cambridgeshire.
Also on ITV Evening News:
• The government has condemned the “reckless and dangerous” tactics used by people smugglers after a record 230 migrants arrived after crossing the Channel to the UK in a single boat.
• The government has said it is "not possible" to exempt “one or two offenders” convicted of manslaughter from early release, amid pressure over the eligibility of PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be freed from prison from January.
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