The UK is at risk of a spring and summer blighted by water shortages and hosepipe bans.

That is the warning from experts after an unseasonably dry winter, which has done little to improve already struggling water levels ahead of the country's warmest and driest months.

There are already appeals for people to use water wisely, after England had its driest February since 1993 while there fears farmers with lettuce and carrot crops may struggle with shortages if more rain doesn't arrive soon.

With, on average, just 15.3mm of rainfall across the UK last month it marks the eighth driest February in records going back to 1836.

Dr Mark McCarthy of the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre said: "The second half of January was largely dry and that theme continued through February with high pressure centred over the UK for much of the month, helping to repel advancing fronts and keep low pressure systems away, and resulting in a notable long winter dry spell."

The National Farmers Union says a lack of available water has left some farms already struggling to fill irrigation reservoirs sufficiently, which has prompted some scaling back of planting plans while other farmers still have land recovering from last year's drought.

In an interview with Sky News, NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw added: "If we end up with a dry spring and early summer, then the challenges are really going to be potentially very, very real."

Water companies across the country brought in hosepipe bans last summer to manage dwindling supplies and while there had been expectations the bans would last into 2023 restrictions came to an end for most in November 2022 when heavy downpours brought close to two months of rainfall in just two weeks.

Yet two areas of England - East Anglia and Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - still remain in 'drought' status after last summer's prolonged dry spell with other areas now classified as 'recovering'.

But there are concerns that recovery will be thrown into doubt if there is not more rain in the coming weeks.

The National Drought Group says after the driest summer in 30 years in 2022, and little January and February rainfall, one hot dry spell early this summer could be enough to return the country to drought-like conditions.

The committee - made up of senior decision-makers from the Environment Agency, government, Met Office, water companies and key farming and environmental groups - warns that rainfall between now and May will be vital in reducing the drought risk.

EA Executive Director and NDG chair John Leyland explained: "While most water levels have returned to normal across much of the country, low rainfall in recent weeks highlights the importance of remaining vigilant. We cannot rely on the weather alone, which is why the Environment Agency, water companies and our partners are taking action to ensure water resources are in the best possible position both for the summer and for future droughts.

"As ever, it is important that we all continue to use water carefully to protect not just our water resources; but our precious environment and the wildlife that depends on it."

Mr Leyland's thoughts are echoed by those of Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, which advises the government on infrastructure issues and emergencies.

In an interview this week he said: "If we continue over the next two or three months to have less rain than we might hope for, then there is a risk that in the summer we could see some water shortages."