Daredevil kayakers take the plunge down Britain's tallest dam in death-defying white-knuckle ride

By Chris Johnson

Thrill seekers would probably agree that this fast-flowing spillway is much more fun - and terrifying - than your average theme park log flume.

At 300ft tall and almost 1,150ft long, the Llyn Brianne Dam near Llandovery, Midwales, is the tallest dam in the UK.

These breathtaking shots show a group of brave kayakers taking their lives in their hands as they launch themselves down the spillway, being propelled to speeds of around 40mph.

At 300ft tall and almost 1,150ft long, the Llyn Brianne Dam near Llandovery, Midwales, is the tallest dam in the UK.

The man-made dam, situated in the headwaters of Wales's River Tywi, was constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s to regulate the flow into the river.

The dam is a crushed and larger rock clay filled dam with all the material used being obtained in the area itself.

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Brave: A kayaker, pictured on the crest of the dam, can reach speeds of up to 40mph as they launch themselves down the spillway

The spillway of the dam is a notable tourist attraction when the reservoir is spilling.

In 1996 the reservoir spillway was increased by one metre in height and a hydro electric generating station was added at the base of the dam, which has a gradient of 1:3:6.

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A kayaker reaches the bottom of the man-made dam, which was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s