Parched pitches

A woman relaxes on a green cricket strip surrounded by parched football pitches, on Hackney Marshes, east London, as Britain braced for another heatwave. Highs of up to 35C were expected. The environment secretary called for water companies to implement restrictions as England experiences its driest period since 1976. The source of the Thames has dried up during the drought, with the river’s source shifting more than 8km downstream from its official start point.