UK heatwave: Photos show dramatic impact on River Teme Published duration 5 July 2018 Related Topics UK heatwaves

image copyright Environment Agency image caption This aerial picture taken on Wednesday shows the extent of the heatwave's impact on the river

Water in part of a river straddling England and Wales has all but disappeared due to the heatwave.

Parts of the upper River Teme in north Herefordshire have completely dried out in the space of just a few days.

More than 500 salmon and trout have been rescued by the Environment Agency, which has worked on sections of the river for more than a week.

The agency said it was continuing to rescue fish on Thursday as further sections had dried out.

image copyright Environment Agency image caption At the start of the week, a stretch of the Teme was already completely dry

image copyright Dave Throup image caption Other parts had more water, including this stretch where staff were out rescuing fish

image copyright Dave Throup image caption But just days later, that same location had completely dried up

image copyright Dave Throup image caption One pool of water was still visible on Monday, but the edges already showed signs of vanishing

image copyright Dave Throup image caption By Wednesday the effects of the heatwave were clearly visible and it had almost completely dried out

image copyright Dave Throup image caption Even areas, including this one, where water appeared to be flowing more heavily at the start of the week have changed quickly

image copyright Dave Throup

Sections of the river's upper reaches are prone to drying out during hot weather and this happens on average about once every three years, the Environment Agency said.