Drought 'failure' by Yorkshire Water

Drought-hit Yorkshire Water wasted two months last summer during which it failed to plan emergency measures while the region's water shortage crisis grew, it was revealed.

A report by the government inspector Stuart Nixon, who held a public inquiry into the company's application for an emergency drought order, says through September and October the company acted as if it was facing a minor shortfall.

The report, just published, recommended the emergency order should have been granted, with strict conditions. In the event rain led to the application, which would have cut supplies to more than half a million people, being withdrawn.