The Midlands has moved out of drought status as several of England’s regions recover their water levels following the recent surge in rainfall, officials said.

The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies, and other organisations, convened on Monday after November saw 149% of the long-term average rainfall.

The recent wet conditions come after the driest spring in 132 years, the hottest summer since records began and insufficient levels of rain to offset widespread droughts in September and October.

With eight of the 11 months this year seeing below average rainfall, many areas of the country were plunged into drought earlier this year.

While November’s rainfall helped to kick-start drought recovery, it also brought flooding to many

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