The British government said on Friday that parts of southern, central and eastern England have officially moved into drought status after a prolonged period of hot and dry weather.

England suffered its driest July since 1935, with only 35 percent of the average rainfall for the month, and parts of England and Wales are now in the middle of a four-day "extreme heat" alert.

Water companies will now begin enacting pre-agreed drought plans to help protect supplies, and the government said members of the public and businesses in drought affected areas were urged to use water wisely.