2019 was bad year for floods and drought in England, say charities

Exclusive: conservation groups say weather extremes putting strain on resources and taking toll on wildlife

Last year was one of the worst in recent times for both flooding and drought in England, a study has found.

There were more than 5,600 flood warnings in England in 2019, more than in any of the last 15 years except 2012. Groundwater levels were lower than normal in 25 areas, more than in any year since comparable records began in 2006.