Source of River Thames dries out ‘for first time’ during drought

The dried up bed of the River Thames at Kemble in Gloucestershire. Photograph: Stephen Shepherd/LNP

The source of the Thames has dried up during the drought, with river experts saying it is the first time they have seen it happen while forecasters warn of further high temperatures to come.

The river’s source has shifted from its official start point outside Cirencester during the continuing dry weather and is now more than 5 miles (8km) downstream.