THESE remarkable pictures show just what a difference a year makes in the natural world.

At the height of the heatwave in July 2018 water in the river Teme near Knighton had been reduced to a shadow of its normal level.

The surrounding meadows were parched, the grass yellowing after days of relentlessly warm sunshine.

Meanwhile, the flow of the Wye through Hereford was in places sluggish, and moss-covered rocks not normally visible were exposed along its banks.

Pictures taken this week show a contrast. Water levels are health for this time of year, and the weed that was exposed at this time last year is covered.

A group canoeists made the most of the conditions by enjoying a paddle around the old bridge in the city.

New aerial pictures of the Teme – taken days ago by Ian Maddock, professor of river science at the University of Worcester, and drone co-pilot/research assistant Josie Lynch – tell a different story.

They show the river in a healthier state, and surrounded by lush fields of vibrant green.

Prof Maddock said: "Not surprisingly, flows now are generally higher than this time last year due to the exceptionally warm and dry summer in 2018.

"This summer started with flows declining normally, but heavy rain around June10-12 caused some localised flooding at the time.

"Since then, the end of June and early July have been very dry and so flows drop again.

"Groundwater levels are generally low and therefore unless we have significant rain, river flows are likely to remain around normal for this time of year.

"We could still see some sections of the river Teme dry later this summer, as they sometimes do, if the dry spell continues."

He said he was grateful to the landowners who had allowed him to conduct research on their land.