Some like it hot but Shropshire fields are parched in March

Baking Shropshire was today starting to wilt as the Easter heatwave showed no signs of easing.

Farmers across the county said today they desperately needed rain to stop what could be a great growing season turning into a disaster.

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They warned that without water, crops, especially potatoes, would fail to grow and grass would burn off, leading to little silage for animal feed.

In Telford, there has been just eight centimetres of rain so far this year, with not a single drop falling for the past 72 hours. The average for this time of year should be 15cms.

The Environment Agency website said Shropshire had only had between 70 and 80 per cent of the expected rainfall between October last year and February. It also said on its website that the upper part of the River Severn was below normal levels.

It has already identified Shropshire as an area of high risk, with bosses calling on businesses and consumers to take action now to protect water supplies from a prolonged drought.

In Lincolnshire, fish had to be rescued from a river after levels dropped. But although the Teme in the south of the region is causing concern, the EA has not had to step in to save fish in Shropshire.

A spokesperson for the EA said: "This widening of the high risk areas is due to the region receiving less than average rainfall over the winter months.

"As we move towards spring and summer, and temperatures begin to rise, we would expect to see more environmental impacts from the dry conditions."

The EA is advising farmers to look for ways to share water resources by setting up water abstractor groups and to take steps now to improve water efficiency.

Ben Hollins, who runs the organic Fordhall Farm at Market Drayton with his sister Charlotte, said grass was growing far better than expected for the time of year.

He said: "The warm weather means that the grass is shooting through and we have been able to put the cows out earlier than usual."

But he added unless Shropshire had some decent rain soon the grass would stop growing. "If we are to get silage crops for fodder, then we really need some rain."

Oliver Cartwright, from Shropshire National Farmers Union, said a lack of rain was a 'serious concern'. "It has a very important impact on farmers and businesses across the county," he said.

"Farmers are hoping for more rain as we head towards the summer and the harvest. There is concern at the moment because crops are going in the fields and the animals and livestock need watering.

"I have not heard of any major issues but farmers are already having large problems so we are keeping a very close eye on the situation."

He said some farmers had bore holes and water reservoirs."Many farmers are using water smartly and irrigating cleverly."

Meanwhile, the price of eggs has soared as farmers prepare for rising costs due to a predicted water shortage. A price watch on a basket of goods shows a 23p rise for a pack of six free range eggs at Tesco in the last month.

A farmer today warned the price of bread and other commodities in supermarkets would rise if Britain did not get a large quantity of rain.

Helen Fortescue, who runs Gailey Fruit Farm in Staffordshire with her husband Ian, said: "We have not put our prices up but our suppliers are having to put their fees up because of the rise in fuel prices.

"Wheat is already more expensive which may explain the cost of eggs because of the price of chicken feed."

Lord Chris Smith, chairman of the EA, said: "We are working with businesses, farmers and water companies to meet the challenges of a continued drought.

"Our report urges water companies, farmers and other businesses to look again at ways to improve short term water storage, share water resources where possible, and reduce the amount they and their customers use."

By Sue Austin

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