Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have officially been declared in drought as England experiences one of its driest summers on record. The Environment Agency has confirmed seven areas of England are now in drought following exceptionally low rainfall and prolonged hot weather, with Hampshire and the Isle of Wight among the affected regions. Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said:"The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it. The Met Office has warned there is currently little sign of the widespread, sustained rainfall needed to ease drought conditions. Seven water companies, including Southern Water, have introduced Temporary Use Bans affecting around 23 million customers across England.