In pictures: Eclipse, elephants and wedding cow

Thousands of people from across the West gathered at vantage points on hilltops, in parks and pub gardens to view the partial solar eclipse this week.

The widespread drought conditions continued - with photographers capturing the dry, sun-baked earth at tourist spots across the region.

However, five African bull elephants got to enjoy some lush vegetation at their new willow plantation.

Here are some of the West's highlights in pictures.

New surroundings: After a period of regeneration, Bristol's Noah's Ark Zoo Farm's five African bull elephants are once again exploring their 5,000 square metre willow plantation.

Located within Elephant Eden in North Somerset, the site - which opened in 2022 - is the first of its kind in the UK and the only one in Europe.

Young superheroes: Teddy Brimble, aged six, helped raise £30,000 for Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal by taking part with 11 of his friends in the Great Bristol Mini Run in May. His younger sister, Lucia, aged three, is being treated for a rare brain tumour at Bristol Children's Hospital, where the funds will go towards new machinery to ease the side effects of chemotherapy.

Parched parkland: This drone shot captured the sun-baked grass around the Clifton Observatory in Bristol. The Environment Agency has declared multiple areas of the country to be in drought - including much of the West.

Results joy: A-level students were celebrating across the West this week, including these Bristol Grammar School students.

Wedding transport: Most brides choose a limo or fancy car for their wedding, but Somerset farmer Victoria Lee, 37, wanted her favourite Swiss cow, White Chocolate Button, to play a crucial part in her big day. "She's pretty much my best friend," said Lee.

Rare sighting: Amateur bird watcher Jamie Lock, from Yeovil, was thrilled to spot a Purple Heron in reedbeds outside a hide at RSPB Ham Wall this week. The species is a less common visitor to the Somerset Levels than the more widespread Grey Heron.

Dedication: Staff at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust have been praised by patients, with the hospital scoring highly in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for 2025.

Dry spell: The dry weather has severely affected the landscape in Bath as well - as this latest aerial view of the parched grass in front of the Royal Crescent clearly shows.

Back in town: Visitors took in the action at College Ground in Cheltenham this week as Gloucestershire played Northamptonshire Steelbacks during the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Race is on: A campaign to save The Exchange for Stroud is progressing, but there is still a "significant gap" in funding to close before the community can secure the building for the future.

Celestial beauty: This image of the eclipse was captured by one of our BBC Weather Watchers above Gloucestershire.

Scholarly success: These four pupils from Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham were celebrating their A-level results on Thursday after scoring eight A*s and five A grades between them.

All yellow: Despite the hot temperatures, there are still flowers blooming and wildlife to see if you know where to look. Many thanks to WeatherWatcher Bracken for sending us this image of a curious honey bee exploring a selection of yellow coneflowers in Chippenham.

Eclipse evening: Oscar Scott of the Starquest Astronomer club in Warminster was among the crowds at an event at the Lake Pleasure Grounds this week.

Great outdoors: BBC Radio Wiltshire's Sue Kinnear visited Pickards Field Allotments on Monday to mark Allotments Week. She met with local families and users of the allotment - such as Councillor Jake Chandler, his grandad Dennis Chandler, and the Swindon Allotment and Leisure Garden Association's John Aldred and Sue Stevens.

Paddington drops in: There were celebrations at the Julia's House Devizes Wharf shop this week as staff and volunteers thanked the community for its support since opening earlier this year. More than £1,200 was raised on the day for the charity, which provides care for children with life-shortening conditions, and there were visits from the likes of Paddington Bear and Minnie Mouse.

Rain desperately needed: This is how Battlesbury Camp near Warminster looks after three months of hardly any rain.

Gaining confidence: Nine new wolf pups have started exploring their paddock more at Longleat Safari Park. The eight males and one female recently turned three-months old and do not yet have names.

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