Heat hits River Severn levels

This picture shows how water levels on the River Severn have fallen due to the warm weather - with Britain braced for more sweltering temperatures today.

Large sections of the river bed at Bewdley are exposed and birds have taken to sleeping on areas which are usually under water.

The heatwave is expected to continue today as the Health Protection Agency warns it is putting lives at risk.

Parts of south-east England are expected to reach 88F (31C) before dropping to 82F (28C) tomorrow.

Temperatures in the Midlands were expected to climb to 81F (27C) this afternoon before cooling to 83F (23C) on Sunday. The forecast is bad news for Bewdley Rowing Club where preparations for this year's traditional regatta weekend, scheduled for July 24 and 25, have been affected.

Spokesman Chris Kowalik warned today if the levels continued to fall the event may have to cancelled.

"Over the past few years the concern leading up to the regatta has been how high the water levels are. This time it is the exact opposite," he said.

An official heat-health alert remained in place today.