Farmers fear for their crops after the driest April on record

UK had just 47% of the average rainfall for the month but water companies say there is no need to panic

One of the driest Aprils on record could ruin crops in the most arid parts of the country if it does not start raining soon, farmers have warned.

Whisky and beer production could be affected if May and June prove similarly dry, with crops such as malting barley particularly vulnerable if not given enough water when they sprout in spring, according to Guy Smith, the vice-chair of the National Farmers' Union (NFU). "A good May may put them back on track but it's last chance saloon for them," he said.