Canals have been left running dry across England and Wales as Britain continues to bake in what could become its hottest summer ever.
More than 30 sections of the 2,000-mile canal network have closed to prevent boaters travelling through low water levels – with officials warning that more could be forced to shut as soaring temperatures continue throughout August.
It comes after the Met Office warned 2026 could surpass the long, hot summer of 1976 – the UK’s hottest on record based on highest average daily maximum temperature.
The forecaster issued a rare 15-hour amber ‘extreme heat’ warning for southern and central England from 9am
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