The wettest May for more than a quarter of a century has not ended the threat of drought.

Environment Secretary David Miliband said there was still "widespread support" for the view that the prospects for drought in the South-East were the worst for more than 30 years.

This is despite the fact that Sussex recorded more than 90mm of rainfall in May compared with a county average for the month of 51mm.

Nationally, last month had the largest downpour since May 1979.

Yesterday Mr Miliband met water companies and consumer groups.

After the summit, he called for drought orders such as the one secured but not yet implemented by Southern Water to be used "sensitively and progressively".

He also warned water companies that targets set to reduce water leakage would be kept under review.

In May, The Argus revealed that one hundred million litres of water are lost by Southern Water every day because of leaky pipes.

Mr Miliband indicated the Government would make it easier for companies to apply for compulsory water metering, which it said led to similar or lower bills for the vast majority of consumers as well as cutting water use by ten per cent.

The Minister said: "Water metering currently stands at 28 per cent of households and we will look at the scope for increasing that."

The Environment Agency, the Consumer Council for Water and Ofwat are to work with water companies on their contingency plans against the prospect of a third dry winter.

Mr Miliband said: "Today's meeting marked the opening of a constructive dialogue with the water industry.

"The fact is that water is a resource we can no longer take for granted without consequences for ourselves and for the environment. Collective action by both industry and consumers is essential to protect the sustainability of supply in the long term."