Severely cracked earth and shrivelled blackberries were seen in Morden Park, south London, on August 23 as 10 in 14 Environment Agency regions in England have been placed in drought status, and dry conditions are expected to last until October.

The cracks in the ground ran as deep as six inches or more and the normally green and lush bramble hedges - the late-summer berries a favourite for birds and jam makers, resembled more like dried fruit, with recent rainfall having little impact on the situation.

Severely cracked earth and shrivelled blackberries were seen in a south London park (August 23) as 10 in 14 Environment Agency regions in England have been placed in drought status, and dry conditions are expected to last until October.

The cracks in the ground ran as deep at six inches or more and the normally green and lush bramble hedges - the late-summer berries a favourite for birds and jam makers, resembled more like dried-fruit, with recent rainfall having little impact on the situation.