RESIDENTS and tourists continued to lap up the spring sunshine, as York basked in another day of warm weather.

Sun-seekers flocked to York’s Museum Gardens and the banks of the River Ouse to make the most of the unseasonally warm weather as it continued from the weekend.

But environment officials warned that much of England could face widespread problems with a “severe drought” if the dry weather continues.

The Environment Agency said it needed rainfall well above average in March and April to ensure water levels recover in southern, eastern and central England.

As a result, the agency warned it was anticipating a “severe drought” this spring and summer in parts of England.

All of East Anglia and the South East are already officially in drought after two very dry winters and a new report warns drought could spread as far north as East Yorkshire and as far west as the Hampshire-Wiltshire border.