It has already heard from councils, utility companies and emergency services involved in the crisis.

Residents affected by the floods and water shortages were earlier invited to submit written evidence.

The results will be fed into the national flood inquiries which will recommend actions to prevent the disaster happening again.

Chair of the Inquiry, councillor Rob Garnham said: "We are taking evidence so that we can build up a complete picture of what happened in the summer.

"We are keen to learn lessons so that we are as prepared as possible to deal with future events.

"The response to the emergency that we witnessed throughout the county was outstanding, but it is important that we review how we responded as well as the real impact the flooding and water shortages had on people's lives."