River Severn levels hit after dry spell

River levels have been hit by the prolonged dry spell across the UK. The River Severn is reported to be particularly low in Bridgnorth and Bewdley.

But experts say although the levels are low in Bridgnorth, in the rest of the county, they are about average.

Levels have dropped as a result of the recent warm weather making this year likely to be the driest since 1929.

The drought is being caused by the absence of Atlantic weather systems which normally bring rain to Britain. The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain at about 354 kilometres (220 miles).

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said that levels in Bridgnorth were slightly lower at 0.5 metres rather than the 0.6m average for this time of year.

At the Welsh Bridge gauge in Shrewsbury the level was 0.55m yesterday, with the summer average being 0.5m and at the gauge in Ludlow for the River Teme the level was 0.95m, spot on for the seasonal average. Meanwhile, a heat-health alert has been sounded in Shropshire for this weekend with temperatures set to reach as high as 24C.

The forecast has prompted a warning from Professor Rod Thompson, director of public health for Shropshire County Primary Care Trust. He said: "The hot, sunny weather is lovely and makes a change from the long, cold winter we have had this last year.

"However, the heat also holds some dangers - not only sunburn from prolonged exposure to the sun which we should all be aware of, but also through dehydration and heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

"I would urge everyone to make sure that when the weather is hot, you look out for the people who may be most at risk of suffering from the heat. This includes elderly people and the very young, as well as people who have to spend large amount of time outside in the sun, maybe as part of their work."

Prof Thompson is suggesting that people try to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, between 11am ad 3pm, avoid strenuous activity during these times, stay in the shade as much as possible, wear loose clothing and a hat, and use a high factor sunscreen.

Severn Trent Water is asking people to be "water wise" in whatever they do outdoors.

Fraser Pithie, senior operations manager, said: "The temptation is to get the hosepipe or sprinkler out, and leave it running to give the lawn or borders a good watering, but this approach can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water, or 220 gallons, in just one hour. To put it in perspective, that's more water than a family of four would normally use in a whole day."