BRITAIN was drenched by downpours as flash floods and thunderstorms wreaked havoc.

But water bosses warned the long-awaited deluge would do nothing to ease the worst drought for 50 years.

People walk through the rain with umbrellas.Racegoers get wet on Ladies Day at York’s Ebor FestivalCredit: Refer to source Crowd of people in Trafalgar Square, London, walking with umbrellas during a rain shower after a long summer drought.Brollies were out in London’s rainy Trafalgar Square Credit: i-Images

said its would likely last until at least the end of the year.

The nation’s largest water company serves more than ten million customers across London and the Thames Valley.

It said back-to-back heatwaves and barely a drop of rain for weeks had sparked an unprecedented surge in demand.

Its customers used around 100 million litres more water than normal each day during last month’s scorcher.

Boss Nevil Muncaster said the firm would have to extend current restrictions in order to “protect the environment”.

Other water firms are expected to make similar announcements in the coming days and weeks.

Mr Muncaster said: “The Environment Agency forecast is that it will be drier than normal for the next few months, but we’ll wait and see.

“At the same time, we’re going to make sure we protect the environment, make sure we see our ground flow and river flow restored.

Motorists drive on the M6 motorway at Shap Summit in heavy rain and spray.Downpours disrupt traffic on the M6 in Cumbria Credit: Getty Spectators sheltering from the rain under an umbrella at Headingley cricket ground.Umbrellas go up as rain delays the Test Match in Leeds Credit: PA

“I think realistically it’s going to be towards the end of the year before that comes off.”

Thames Water is currently among 11 firms that have imposed hosepipe bans restricting more than 27million customers nationwide.

Yesterday’s rainfall was a welcome relief after the driest July since records began 190 years ago.

Vast swathes of the nation have been parched by the hot .

But racegoers at York’s Ebor Festival took shelter under brollies.

fans also took cover as the weather held up play on Day Two of the First Test against Pakistan at Headingley in Leeds.

Meanwhile, motorists on the M6 in endured driving rain.

And shoppers and tourists at London’s Trafalgar Square hurried through showers.

Morecambe, Lancs, had more than two inches of rain in 24 hours.

The said it would be dry for most this weekend before a return to showers next week.

The downpours arrived with three-quarters of England officially in drought.

Some places have gone without a drop for two months and July was southern England’s