Campaigners have warned that the precious waterways and their tributaries are beginning to run dry after low levels of rainfall for months.

It could cause the habitats, of which there are only about 200 in the world, to face serious harm, putting wildlife at risk.

Mark Dye, of Gaywood River Revival (Image: Mark Dye)

Mark Dye, spokesman for Gaywood River Revival, said: “I don’t think anyone can deny that our chalk streams really are at crisis point now.

"On the Gaywood and across all of west Norfolk’s rivers, levels are incredibly low and some tributaries are beginning to run dry.

"The extended lack of rainfall in combination with extraordinary levels of almost continuous abstraction has reduced flow to a trickle in places.

"Without significant dilution, pollutants, including phosphates, build up."

A file photo of the River Nar, one of Norfolk's rare chalk streams (Image: Newsquest)........

© Eastern Daily Press