As the region swelters, the BBC Weather Watchers are capturing sun-drenched views where they live.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Nicholas took this picture in Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk at about 06:30Image caption: Nicholas took this picture in Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk at about 06:30
BBCCopyright: BBC
Bedford was captured by "laughing boy" in the morningImage caption: Bedford was captured by "laughing boy" in the morning
BBCCopyright: BBC
"Old Mick" took this picture at Stanningfield in SuffolkImage caption: "Old Mick" took this picture at Stanningfield in Suffolk
BBCCopyright: BBC
Ramsey St Mary's in Cambridgeshire by "alpaca lady"Image caption: Ramsey St Mary's in Cambridgeshire by "alpaca lady"
BBCCopyright: BBC
Flower pictures have been popular. Here's one from Great Brington in Northamptonshire by craigmiddleton895Image caption: Flower pictures have been popular. Here's one from Great Brington in Northamptonshire by craigmiddleton895
Video caption: Heatwave: Safari park gives monkeys fruit 'ice lollies'Heatwave: Safari park gives monkeys fruit 'ice lollies'
Zoos and safari parks have to keep a close eye on their animals during very hot weather and have special ways of trying to keep them cool.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire is feeding its monkeys fruit encased in blocks of ice.
It said: "Barbary macaques are a hardy primate species that can tolerate both extremely dry and arid temperatures as well as freezing cold conditions, but they still love an ice lolly or splashing around in their pond on a hot day."
BreakingDelays at Luton Airport over 'runway defect' due to high temperatures
Luton Airport says there has been a "surface defect" on its runway due to the high temperatures.
Repairs are under way, but at the moment all inbound and outbound flights are delayed.
People shun punting on River Cam in rising temperatures
Jo Black
BBC News
BBCCopyright: BBC
Campbell Murdoch from Granta Moorings says it is quieter todayImage caption: Campbell Murdoch from Granta Moorings says it is quieter today
At Granta Moorings
in Cambridge a line of redundant punts chained together look like a floating
island on the River Cam.
The team here says it is very quiet as people heed the
advice to stay safe out of the sun.
On a busy weekend, this business has around 400 adults on the
punting tours. On a weekday that figure is around 150, and so far today they’ve
only taken about 50 people out for the gentle trip past the university colleges.
Iced water is offered to customers and umbrellas provide
some much-needed shade.
In 2019, it was this city that reported the UK’s record
temperature of 38.7C (101.7F).
Nichole Waller (left) and Susan Dunk (right) carried out their plans despite the temperaturesImage caption: Nichole Waller (left) and Susan Dunk (right) carried out their plans despite the temperatures
Nichole Waller and Susan Dunk are friends from near Epping Forest in Essex and booked a walking tour in
Cambridge months ago.
They did think about cancelling but when they found out it was
still running decided to stride ahead.
Susan says: "We did ask the question. They said
they were still running it so we thought we would give it a go and see how were
get on."
Nichole adds: "We’ve both got elderly
parents and we’ve been advising them to stay in loads, drink water and put the
fan on."
'I don't deal well with extreme weather' - market worker
Phoebe LucasCopyright: Phoebe Lucas
Joe Metcalf, Norwich Market Bread SourceImage caption: Joe Metcalf, Norwich Market Bread Source
Back at Norwich Market, Joe Metcalfe is working at a bakery.
Bread Source opened up a
stall there after lockdown.
Joe says they can get up
to 300 sales on an average day and they're "getting busier and busier as
the day goes on".
"I don't deal well with extreme weather," he says, adding that he feels he has some shade at the covered market.
He says Mondays aren't as busy as Fridays or
Saturdays when "it would be rammed" and he's hopeful the heat won't affect business too much.
Hot dogs: 'Man's best friend' knows how to deal with the heat
It wouldn't be an event in the UK if there weren't any pictures of dogs being part of it all!
The Bayfield familyCopyright: The Bayfield family
Oliver and Norman in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk enjoying a paddleImage caption: Oliver and Norman in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk enjoying a paddle
Peter AitkenCopyright: Peter Aitken
A big yawn from border collie puppy Peggy in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in her first summerImage caption: A big yawn from border collie puppy Peggy in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in her first summer
Sarah LightCopyright: Sarah Light
Latte enjoying a snooze in North Walsham in NorfolkImage caption: Latte enjoying a snooze in North Walsham in Norfolk
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Jacob King/PA MediaCopyright: Jacob King/PA Media 
Jacob King/PA MediaCopyright: Jacob King/PA Media 
BBCCopyright: BBC Nicholas took this picture in Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk at about 06:30Image caption: Nicholas took this picture in Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk at about 06:30 
BBCCopyright: BBC Bedford was captured by "laughing boy" in the morningImage caption: Bedford was captured by "laughing boy" in the morning 
BBCCopyright: BBC "Old Mick" took this picture at Stanningfield in SuffolkImage caption: "Old Mick" took this picture at Stanningfield in Suffolk 
BBCCopyright: BBC Ramsey St Mary's in Cambridgeshire by "alpaca lady"Image caption: Ramsey St Mary's in Cambridgeshire by "alpaca lady" 
BBCCopyright: BBC Flower pictures have been popular. Here's one from Great Brington in Northamptonshire by craigmiddleton895Image caption: Flower pictures have been popular. Here's one from Great Brington in Northamptonshire by craigmiddleton895 
Video caption: Heatwave: Safari park gives monkeys fruit 'ice lollies'Heatwave: Safari park gives monkeys fruit 'ice lollies' View more on twitterView more on twitter 
BBCCopyright: BBC Campbell Murdoch from Granta Moorings says it is quieter todayImage caption: Campbell Murdoch from Granta Moorings says it is quieter today 
BBCCopyright: BBC Nichole Waller (left) and Susan Dunk (right) carried out their plans despite the temperaturesImage caption: Nichole Waller (left) and Susan Dunk (right) carried out their plans despite the temperatures 
Phoebe LucasCopyright: Phoebe Lucas Joe Metcalf, Norwich Market Bread SourceImage caption: Joe Metcalf, Norwich Market Bread Source 
The Bayfield familyCopyright: The Bayfield family Oliver and Norman in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk enjoying a paddleImage caption: Oliver and Norman in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk enjoying a paddle 
Peter AitkenCopyright: Peter Aitken A big yawn from border collie puppy Peggy in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in her first summerImage caption: A big yawn from border collie puppy Peggy in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in her first summer 
Sarah LightCopyright: Sarah Light Latte enjoying a snooze in North Walsham in NorfolkImage caption: Latte enjoying a snooze in North Walsham in Norfolk 
Phoebe LucasCopyright: Phoebe Lucas Michael and Jill, 76 and 75Image caption: Michael and Jill, 76 and 75 View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Kate BradbrookCopyright: Kate Bradbrook
Latest PostWhy does heat make you drowsy? And other questions
BBC experts answer your questions, as the UK records a temperature of 40 degrees for the first time.
Read moreLive updates have ended for the day
Thanks for joining us as we've tried to provide a flavour of how the heatwave has affected the BBC East region on Monday.
We'll be running another live updates page on Tuesday. Find it via your BBC News Online county index.
Lido a splash with swimmers
While punting on the Cam has taken a dip, Cambridge's Jesus Green Lido has been a refuge for people wanting to cool off.
More from BBC Weather Watchers across the East
BBC Weather Watchers
As the region swelters, the BBC Weather Watchers are capturing sun-drenched views where they live.
Highest temperature 'dismays' record-holder
The highest UK temperature in Cambridge in 2019 is a "serious reminder" of climate change, an expert warns.
Read moreMonkeys given fruit 'ice lollies' at safari park
Video content
Zoos and safari parks have to keep a close eye on their animals during very hot weather and have special ways of trying to keep them cool.
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire is feeding its monkeys fruit encased in blocks of ice.
It said: "Barbary macaques are a hardy primate species that can tolerate both extremely dry and arid temperatures as well as freezing cold conditions, but they still love an ice lolly or splashing around in their pond on a hot day."
BreakingDelays at Luton Airport over 'runway defect' due to high temperatures
Luton Airport says there has been a "surface defect" on its runway due to the high temperatures.
Repairs are under way, but at the moment all inbound and outbound flights are delayed.
Heatwave closes park attractions and events
Wildlife Parks, football matches and race meetings among events affected by heatwave.
Read morePeople shun punting on River Cam in rising temperatures
Jo Black
BBC News
At Granta Moorings in Cambridge a line of redundant punts chained together look like a floating island on the River Cam.
The team here says it is very quiet as people heed the advice to stay safe out of the sun.
On a busy weekend, this business has around 400 adults on the punting tours. On a weekday that figure is around 150, and so far today they’ve only taken about 50 people out for the gentle trip past the university colleges.
Iced water is offered to customers and umbrellas provide some much-needed shade.
In 2019, it was this city that reported the UK’s record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F).
It could be hotter today or tomorrow, much to the dismay of the Cambridge Botanic Garden, where it was recorded.
Nichole Waller and Susan Dunk are friends from near Epping Forest in Essex and booked a walking tour in Cambridge months ago.
They did think about cancelling but when they found out it was still running decided to stride ahead.
Susan says: "We did ask the question. They said they were still running it so we thought we would give it a go and see how were get on."
Nichole adds: "We’ve both got elderly parents and we’ve been advising them to stay in loads, drink water and put the fan on."
'I don't deal well with extreme weather' - market worker
Back at Norwich Market, Joe Metcalfe is working at a bakery.
Bread Source opened up a stall there after lockdown.
Joe says they can get up to 300 sales on an average day and they're "getting busier and busier as the day goes on".
"I don't deal well with extreme weather," he says, adding that he feels he has some shade at the covered market.
He says Mondays aren't as busy as Fridays or Saturdays when "it would be rammed" and he's hopeful the heat won't affect business too much.
Man hit on M1 after car breaks down dies
Five other people are treated for injuries following the crash in the middle of the night.
Read moreHot dogs: 'Man's best friend' knows how to deal with the heat
It wouldn't be an event in the UK if there weren't any pictures of dogs being part of it all!
Londoners stay at home on hottest day of 2022
The number of people using the Tube and buses is down as London sees England's hottest temperature.
Read moreGlos & Northants shorten Tuesday play due to heat
The first day of County Championship games at Gloucestershire and Northants are shortened as sport adapts during the UK heatwave.
Read moreFirefighters tackle large blaze at recycling centre
About 600 tonnes of waste clothing is alight, says the fire service for Essex.
Read moreLater kick-off due to extreme weather
The club says it is "vital that supporters take care of themselves to protect against the heat".
Read moreTuesday market cancelled
Newmarket in Suffolk will not be hosting its regular outdoor market tomorrow.
It is expected that the market, on Market Square, off the High Street, will run as usual on Saturday.
Train line closed due to high temperatures
Network Rail says closing the line is "the right thing to do to keep people safe".
Read morePeople cancelling plans as temperatures rise and rise
Michael and Jill, 76 and 75, are in Norwich city centre.
They compare today's temperatures to when they were in Barcelona and say "sometimes it feels like the Mediterranean, as there is no air".
Jill says they were planning on playing golf tomorrow but decided to cancel because of the extreme heat.
They are keeping cool by drinking plenty of water, staying in the shade, and dipping in and out of air conditioned shops.
But overall they're "not coping too badly as it's only for a couple of days".
How the meerkats are keeping their cool
It's frozen fruit smoothies and tasty chunks of apple for the meerkats at Shepreth Wildlife Park in Cambridgeshire.
This is just one of many ways zoos and sanctuaries are keeping their animals cool and hydrated in the searing heat.
Staff are working hard to make sure the animals keep their cool, including giving the resident capybaras a hosepipe shower.