Extreme weather to be 'normal'

Met Office analysis suggests that the UK could experience a 1976-style drought every 10 years, and the Environment Agency said that with the population of London and the South East set to grow by 23% by 2035, action should be taken now.

Modelling suggests some river flows could be cut by up to 80% during the summer in the next 40 years as the climate changes, putting more pressure on businesses that rely on taking water from rivers for irrigation.

The chief of the Environment Agency said last year's extreme weather showed the "urgent need" to plan for a "changing climate". Sir Lord Smith said:

The chairman of the Environment Agency, Chris Smith, has said the UK must become more resilient to weather extremes such as drought and flooding.

Parts of England and Wales were hit by flooding one in every five days last year, the Environment Agency said.

With one in four days spent in drought, following two dry winters in a row, the organisation is warning that Britain needs to do more prepare for future extreme weather.

Record river levels were experienced at the Tyne, Ouse and Tone, experiencing their highest flows since records began, in the space of four months.

With 78 days of flooding, and 95 days of official drought, the Environment Agency is calling for an increase in small-scale water storage reservoirs, which take advantage of wet weather.

Read: Half of Britain in drought

Read: 2012: The year that drenched Britain