Looking down on London's straw-coloured parks

July was officially the driest for England and Wales since records began 190 years ago.

With no recorded rainfall at the Kew Gardens weather station in July and the capital declared officially in drought amid a hosepipe ban, the impact on London's formerly green spaces is clear for all to see: a slew of straw-coloured expanses across the city.

Who better to capture this phenomenon than photographer Jason Hawkes, who has been flying in the skies above London capturing snapshots for more than 35 years?

"It's quite interesting to see how different it does look, compared to one month ago," he says.

"I don't think I've ever seen Hyde Park look so barren – it looks mental from the air," the 58-year-old says.

"The rooftop terraces are still really green so are an interesting juxtaposition."

Which is his favourite shot of summer in the city?

"I like the viewing point at Primrose Hill," he says. "Normally that's incredibly green there – it's mad. It's incredible."

Hawkes adds: "It was quite similar four years ago but everywhere is like it now in the South East.

"The rooftop terraces are the only things that stay green – they hardly ever seem to get used."

The heatwaves have provided one benefit for the photographer while he carries out his work.

"It's quite nice because normally it's freezing – I can wear shorts," he says.

"The helicopters haven't changed much but everything else has, including the kit," the photographer says about his time doing the job.

"The city is unbelievable and is going to continue to change so much."

All photographs courtesy of Jason Hawkes

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