Britain’s landscapes are running short of water after parts of England saw their cruelest July on record dating back to 1836.
Months of low rainfall, combined with record temperatures in July, have left rivers at exceptionally low levels, depleted reservoirs and parched soils.
As a result of the dry conditions, parched areas of England face a hose ban ahead of another heatwave expected next week in an attempt to conserve water.
The Met Office has warned that there is “very little significant rain” on the horizon for parched areas of England as temperatures soar into the 30s next week.
Photographs taken before and during the heat wave illustrate the impact of the lack of rain and rising temperatures in recent weeks.