Great Ouse

The 2021 race took place on the Great Ouse near Ely because of Covid-19 restrictions and safety concerns.

Some of the worst affected river catchments included the Nene in Cambridgeshire and the Great Ouse in Bedfordshire where Environment Agency flood warnings, external were issued frequently over the past month.

River catchments that are experiencing flooding on Monday morning include the River Axe in Devon, the Ouzel in Buckinghamshire and the Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire.

Ms Whitting said: "In hot weather he entered water of the Great Ouse. Whilst he was familiar with swimming indoors, the extent of his experience and knowledge of open water was unknown."

Haroon Armani, 18, was with a friend in the River Great Ouse at Cardington Lock in Bedford on Friday 16 June when he got into trouble.