In pictures: River football and rescued cygnets

The welcome rainfall this week has helped freshen up swathes of the countryside, although large parts of the West remain in drought conditions.

Also getting wet were the Bourton Rovers footballers, who hosted their annual August bank holiday match in the River Windrush.

Elsewhere, eight cygnets separated from their parents were rescued in Somerset, two beavers have paired up and a Highland Cow is taking to motherhood.

Here is our weekly round-up of pictures from across the region.

Wiltshire

Welcome rain: Dry fields near Avebury were pictured with patches of lush green patches on 1 September. More than 71% of England is officially in drought following an exceptionally dry summer and record-low rainfall.

Growing up: Twin tiger cubs born at Longleat Safari Park in July can now open their beautiful blue eyes - which will start to change colour as they age, becoming yellow, amber or green. The rare Amur tigers are among the most endangered species in the world.

Goal of the season? Swindon Town beat Port Vale 3-1 at County Ground on 1 September, with a brilliant volley from Ben Middlemas branded a potential 'goal of the season.'

Manager Ian Holloway said the team showed 'magnificent character' in his post-match interview.

Warm welcome: Inspired by ideas shared by Greenmeadow Primary School pupils, a newly transformed bus shelter at Greenmeadow Shops now celebrates Haydon Wick's wildlife, heritage and community spirit, creating a vibrant welcome to the parish.

Top traders: Well done to Trowbridge's Nicola Davis, who creates mental health-inspired textile artwork, and Jemma Houkes-Drewitt, who makes book-themed gifts. They both reached the National Final of the Young Traders Market in Stratford-upon-Avon on 29 August.

Thank you to all our BBC Weather Watchers for their photos of stunning sunrises across the county, including these two from Swindon and Corsham on 2 September.

Somerset

State-of-the-art facilities: Staff were celebrating at Musgrove Park Hospital this week as a new £87m surgical centre opened. NHS leaders hope it will reduce waiting lists by increasing capacity and improving patient flow.

Water birds: Secret World Wildlife Rescue rescued eight cygnets found on a road in Somerset last week. The parents of the young swans were nowhere to be seen and the wildlife team said it was an "exceptional situation".

Romance is in the air: Two of the beavers released into the wild on National Trust land in Exmoor earlier this year appear to have formed a pair. The team at Holnicote Estate said there was hope the beavers would eventually establish their own family group.

Gloucestershire

Significant investment: Following a summer of celebrations marking the completion and dedication of Gloucester Cathedral's new organ, supporters are being invited to become part of its musical history by bidding to sponsor one of the remaining organ stops.

New additions: Local community charity Transition Stroud has expanded its popular Pedal Power e-bike scheme with two new bikes. Extra funding from Gloucestershire County Council will enable the project to keep running throughout 2027.

Up close: Yara, the Highland Cow, has taken to motherhood "brilliantly" according to staff at Cotswold Farm Park. The livestock team are brainstorming some names - so keep your eyes peeled for an announcement.

Let's go fly a kite: Some spectacular sea creatures were visible in the skies above Tewkesbury this week for the town's kite festival. The free event featured large display kites and kite-flying demonstrations.

Bristol

Majestic: This stunning full-arch rainbow was captured spanning the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol this week.

Locally brewed: The team at Bristol Beacon announced a new partnership with Bristol Beer Factory which has been appointed as the venue's new brewing partner. The venue will be selling the draught options as well as a range of Bristol Beer Factory cans.

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