Richard Williams
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

Some traders in Stratford-upon-Avon look set to cash in on the hot weather today.

Adam Lucock, from Barry the Butcher in the town, says he expects to shift more than 2,000 burgers and sausages as people fire up their barbecues.

Russell Saunders, from Jack's Corner newsagents near Bancroft Gardens, said he was struggling to keep up with demand.  

It's currently 30C at Tunbridge Wells, where Kent have Sussex 157-3 in response to their 575.

Kat Harbourne

Sheffield is currently playing host to 58 elephants scattered around on a trail in the biggest arts project the city has ever seen. Each elephant has been designed by a different artist.

They'll be on show until October, when they'll be auctioned off to raise money for Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, external.    

I think they look glorious in the sun!

London Zoo's gorillas cooled off by eating fruit tea flavoured ice blocks as the capital experienced tropical temperatures.

Image source, Philip Toscano/PA Wire

Amy Woodfield
BBC Local Live

Ok, now I'm jealous...

How have I never been to Bosworth Water Park before? This looks like a great way to enjoy a hot day.

Send me photos of what you're up to by email, Facebook , externalor Twitter, external.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

What a day at Markeaton Park...

It is warmer than Mumbai I tell you. 

BBC Newsbeat

Numerous myths swirl around on hot days like this.

So is it true that cotton is the beat material to wear to keep you cool? And is it against the law to make you work in an office if the temperature exceeds 30C (86F)? We've got the answers.

Image source, PA

BBC Weather Watchers

Weather Watcher Sandie has sent us this photo of Crumble the dog as the temperature reaches 27C in Dunford Bridge.

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher/Sandie

Image source, Getty Images

Avon Fire & Rescue were called out to Baytree Road in Worle yesterday evening to put out a fire that was started by a barbecue left on a patch of grass.

They are advising people to follow these guidelines, external when using a barbecue this summer.

Lauren Moss
Live from Tunbridge Wells

As temperatures soar to 31C we've been finding out how people in Tunbridge Wells have been enjoying - or coping - with the sunshine.

BBC Travel

The high summer temperatures are being blamed for the suspension of train journeys on First Transpennine's Express service between Hull and York.

The company says a rail has buckled in the heat at Selby and trains are currently unable to run through Selby station. 

Image source, Google

There are also delays on Virgin Trains East Coast service.

Journeys between York and Doncaster and York and Edinburgh are delayed due to speed restrictions imposed because of "high rail temperatures". 

Richard Haugh
BBC News

Continuing my journey to find out how Suffolk is enjoying the weather, and I find someone else playing Pokemon by the waterfront in Ipswich

There are worse ways to spend the day.

Jenny Cork
BBC Sheffield news

Rescued pooches from North Anston’s Thornberry Animal Sanctuary in South Yorkshire have been keeping cool on the hottest day of the year with some special frozen treats courtesy of generous supporters.

2-year-old Olive is really enjoying the treats: 

Image source, Thornberry General Manager

Amy Woodfield
BBC Local Live

Wowzers - it's getting hot in Markfield...

Image source, Mackem in the Shires

Thanks to Mackem in the Shires for sending in the photo - I hope you've put your suntan lotion on.

It's clearly hotting up at Tunbridge Wells where the weather has had an impact on the technology that BBC Sussex's cricket commentator Adrian Harms has at his disposal to help him cover Sussex's County Championship game against Kent.

Sussex are now 110-3 in reply to Kent's 575, as Luke Wells has been bowled by Mitchell Claydon for 22.

Great Western Railway says, because of track temperatures expected to exceed 50C in parts of London later, there will be a series of changes to timetabled services.

The firm said that many of its services would take 10-15 minutes longer because of the hot conditions.

Image source, PA

Here's a summary of what is cancelled and changed:

• London Paddington to Oxford direct (calling at Slough, Reading, Didcot and Oxford) and return services are cancelled. Passengers are advised to travel to Didcot for connecting services to Oxford
• All Thames Valley branch lines to remain in branch operation but with no direct London services
• London Paddington to Bedwyn and return services will operate between Bedwyn and Reading only
• London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa and return will operate between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa only

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

SWEETCORN ICE LOLLIES?! Well it's one way to cool the chickens down.

Thanks to Ian McGibbon for the video - filmed in his back garden in Stretton.

BBC Weather Watchers

The sun was shinning in Turnchapel, Devon, this morning as temperatures reached 24C (75F).

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/TomBam

Thanks to Weather Watcher TomBam for this photo.

Giraffes having fun in the sun

It's already been declared the hottest day of the year so far hitting 30.2C (86.36F) with the mercury set to rise to 34C (93F) in some places.

But there's a little way to go to beat last year's record. On 1 July 2015 a high of 36.7C (98F) was registered by the Met Office at Heathrow. 

  The top UK temperature ever recorded was in Faversham, Kent in 2003 when it got to a sweltering 38.5C (101.3F).