Yorkshire in the heatwave: Amazing photos show dried-up reservoirs that have become makeshift beaches

Water levels at Yorkshire's reservoirs have fallen so much during the heatwave that visitors have been sunbathing on areas normally submerged.

By Grace Newton

Published 18th Jul 2022, 15:47 BST

Updated 19th Jul 2022, 11:20 BST

Yorkshire Post photographers captured exposed mudbeds at both Lindley Wood Reservoir, near Otley, and Swinsty Reservoir, near Harrogate, on Monday.

Yorkshire Water have already admitted that water levels at some sites have dropped to around 60 per cent of capacity as demand for drinking water has been so high.

Lindley Wood is a compensation reservoir, which means it is not linked to the supply of water to homes, but is there to take excess water from Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs nearby.

Yorkshire Water do not send water to Lindley Wood during hot weather.

Lindley Wood is a compensation reservoir, which means it is not linked to the supply of water to homes, but is there to take excess water from Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs nearby.