River topped up after driest July since 2006

A river is being topped up by a reservoir to maintain legally mandated water levels.

Water from Kielder Reservoir has been released into the River Wear since 13 July, according to the Environment Agency (EA).

Last month was the driest July experienced by north-east England since 2006.

The EA said rainfall in the Wear catchment was "exceptionally low" and was only about 13% of the long-term average. Durham, for example, on average gets 61mm of rain in July, according to the Met Office.

Leslie Gray, from Wolsingham Angling Club, said the river had been low and fish there were showing "no signs of activity".

"It's a sign of the times," he said.

The water body's fish counters have been broken for more than a year.

Kielder Reservoir was last used to top up the Wear in 2022.

Last week the North East was moved into prolonged dry weather status - one stage before drought.

It is one of a handful of regions in the country, including Yorkshire and Cumbria, not currently in a drought.

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