The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were flooded in 1943 to create Ladybower ReservoirThe villages of Derwent and Ashopton were flooded in 1943 to create Ladybower Reservoir
The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were flooded in 1943 to create Ladybower Reservoir

Ladybower Reservoir: New photos show drowned villages near Sheffield exposed by drought

It is nearly 80 years since two villages in the Peak District near Sheffield were flooded to create a new reservoir.

The churches, pubs, farms, schools and homes of Derwent and Ashopton were submerged in 1943, and what remains today is usually hidden beneath the surface of Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire's picturesque Upper Derwent Valley.

However, this summer’s heatwaves and the drought conditions created by the historically low rainfall means water levels are so low the wreckage of those once-thriving communities has once again been exposed, giving visitors a fascinating insight into the area’s past.

Dave Hodgkiss captured these great photos showing what remains of the lost villages, which could soon be hidden again, with heavy rain predicted in the region over coming days.