Updates from Thursday 25 July 2019
UK has hottest July day on record, with 38.1C recorded at Cambridge
"Heat-related incidents" cause train delays and cancellations across UK
Europe is also experiencing the heatwave, with Paris reaching 40.6C
Network Rail warns of disruption where tracks are at risk of buckling
Forecasters say the heat could lead to downpours in some areas
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
A much-needed chance for hospital staff to chill out.
Free ice creams have been given out to those working at Derby Royal Hospital today.
Image source, University Hospitals of Derby
Image source, University Hospitals of DerbyStaff at the Sea Life centre in Blackpool have had to cool the water they pump into the aquarium because it's too hot for some of the sea creatures.
General manager Matthew Titherington, said: “We draw water for the displays directly from the Irish Sea, which is just across the Promenade. Sometimes we have to heat it slightly to get the right temperature, especially in winter.
“We’ve never before had to cool it. It’s really important that the water we draw is at exactly the right temperature when it enters the displays.”
Image source, SEA LIFE BlackpoolRailway historian Tim Dunn has shared a video showing the dangers of buckled train tracks.
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It's been at least 10 minutes now since we saw any dogs, sorry for the drop in service there.
To rectify, here is Barney catching some rays in a garden in Godalming, Surrey, Buzz cadging a ride in Wrexham and Daphne and Nancy having a dip in North Yorkshire to celebrate Daphne's fifth birthday.
Image source, Anthony Hobkinson
Image source, Robert Dwyer
Image source, Kathryn LinkerPssst! Stuck melting at your desk?
Click below to come on a virtual punt on the River Cam through Cambridge with us.
It's the closest thing to actually being there!
Fifteen-month-old Henry is having a splashing time in Great Barr, Birmingham.
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Allen Cook
BBC News
The animals in this wildlife park in Staffordshire have the right idea today.
Peak Wildlife Park, near Leek, has been sharing out some icy treats - as well as the odd deckchair.
Image source, Peak Wildlife ParkLorraine the meerkat
Image source, Peak Wildlife ParkZiggy, a black lemur, with an iced treat
Image source, Peak Wildlife ParkJude, an Asian short-clawed otter, cooling down
People going to the Yorkshire coast during the current heatwave should "know the dangers of the water", the RNLI has warned.
The charity says Filey beach has been busy because of the hot weather and that beachgoers should make sure they keep themselves safe to fully enjoy the seaside.
Senior lifeguard Saphire Cartlidge (pictured) urged people to stay hydrated in the hot weather, as well as letting the lifeguards know if they're in any danger and need help.
One piece of advice is to freeze their food to keep them cool while they eat.
Read More
Jessica Labhart
BBC News
A beach bar in Birmingham is expecting a deluge of drinkers.
"We get very popular because I think we remind people of their holidays," says Paul, who runs the bar near the Bullring.
"We're a bit scared today to be honest because it only takes one or two drinks for people to get drunk in this heat."
Holly Parsons-Hann from Basingstoke in Hampshire sent us this picture of her Persian cat.
She said: "Little P seemed to like the fan and I was trying to make sure he was drinking enough water, so as soon as I put the water in front of the fan, he was hooked. He's been there for over four hours so far and seems very content."
Image source, Holly Parsons-HannMeanwhile, Edward Bartlett's cat Catface has sought shelter in a shady spot in the garden.
Image source, Edward Bartlett
It's looking red hot in Weston-super-Mare at the moment, with many families taking advantage of the sunny weather.
The Watkins family look like they're very much enjoying the heatwave.
Have fun!
What do you do if you can't get to the beach? ️️
Why bring the beach to you of course!
Image source, Bluebell Wood Children's HospiceThat's what they have done at Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice at North Anston near Sheffield.
Hospice staff recreated a trip to the coast complete with sun, sand and sea and, perhaps most importantly, ice cream, for families unable to head to the beach.
Here are some more pictures of the fun that was had.
Image source, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice
Image source, Bluebell Wood Children's HospiceThe temperature has now hit 37.7C at Kew Gardens in London and Writtle in Essex, meaning today is the now the second hottest on record.
The current record for the hottest day is 38.5 set in 2003.
Here are the 10 previous hottest days on record courtesy of the Met Office.
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Dog owners are being urged to test the tarmac before taking their pets out for a stroll.
If the pavement is too hot for you to hold your hand on for seven second then it could blister a dog's paw.
Go for walks later in the day or head for a shady spot and go for a woodland stroll.
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The west London airport is often at the top of the temperature charts - but why?
Tom Edgington
BBC Reality Check
Image source, Getty ImagesHeathrow has set a new July temperature record of 36.9C. The previous record, set in 2015, was also set at the west London airport.
But what causes Heathrow to regularly climb to the top of the temperature chart?
It's down to something called the urban heat island - the process where buildings absorb more sunlight than open fields.
Heathrow - with its large black asphalt runways and airport buildings - will naturally absorb more heat, pushing up the temperature by several degrees.
You can find more about this effect and other factors that affect local temperatures here.
The Severn Valley Railway in Shropshire has spelled it out for us.
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Have you changed things around to cope with the heat or have you ploughed on regardless?
Click here to tell us what you've got up to today.
Or send an email to england@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @BBCEngland, external.
Image source, Getty ImagesLincolnshire's Riseholme College is home to all sorts of creatures and critters - most of whom are looking to keep cool today.
Perhaps the cutest, though, is Ralph the Raccoon Dog. Here he is basking in a private pool:
Image source, Riseholme CampusRaccoon Dogs, or Tanuki as they're sometimes known, are native to East Asia - so they are used to it being on the hotter side.
Try telling Ralph that though...
Image source, Riseholme CampusCan't get out of the office and dreaming of life on the beach?
Enjoy this scene from Hunstanton, commonly known as "Sunny Hunny", on the north Norfolk coast.