The source of the River Thames has dried up after the UK experienced the lowest recorded rainfall in March since 1929.
The Thames head spring in Trewsbury Mead near Cirencester, Glos., has stopped flowing after the driest March in more than 80 years.
It was fed from deep underground and joins with the River Churn to make up the waters of the Thames that stretches for 215 miles (346 km).
But a stone placed in the meadow three miles south of Cirencester to mark the source of the infamous river is as dry as a bone.
Experts are warning that the lack of rainfall is likely to lead to hosepipe bans and the possibility of droughts through the summer.
The Met Office reported that the average rainfall in England from 1 to 29 March was just 13.3 mm – just a fifth of the average for the whole month of 66.6mm.
Provisional figures make it the driest since 1929 – when there was no measurable rain until the 24 March and a total of 7.8 mm was recorded for the entire month.
Across the UK this year the total rainfall from 1 to 29 March was 39.1mm – 41 per cent of the average for the month which is 95.9 mm.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: ”England and Wales were particularly dry, with provisional figures suggesting the month could be amongst the driest in the past 100 years.
”Many regions within the UK are expected to have had one of their driest March months for a century but with further rainfall being added to monthly totals, this remains unconfirmed.”
Jonathan Powell, senior forecaster at Positive Weather Solutions, said: ”There is a very stark and real danger of a drought this summer.
”Some places will inevitably see hosepipe bans at some point as there is no substantial rainfall on the way.”
