As it happened: Heatwave updates for the East of England

1. The UK has recorded a temperature of more than 40C (104F) for the first time
2. People are being urged to stay cool and hydrated, with a first-ever red warning for heat across much of England
3. There are warnings about the dangers of entering open water after a number of people were reported to have drowned while trying to escape the heat
4. Network Rail has warned against travel and road surfaces, including the A14, have warped
5. A high of 38.2C (100.8F) was reached in Santon Downham in Suffolk and Pitsford in Northamptonshire on Monday

Swimmer missing after five rescued near pier

That's all from us for today

Pete Cooper

BBC News

BBC

BBC Weather Watch silvana and their dog took the opportunity to cool off

Thank you for joining us on what has been a record-breaking day, with temperatures hitting 40C (104F) for the first time.

The extreme heat has caused fires across the region and major travel disruption but, as we've reported, some have found ways to keep cool and welcomed Christmas early!

Tomorrow's forecast looks cooler but there is a yellow weather warning in place for thunderstorms across the east.

Have a good evening, hopefully a cooler night's sleep and if you happen to have an ice-pack in the freezer, wrap it in a tea towel and pop it in the bed. Delightfully cooling, sleep well.

The view of a heatwave from BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watchers

It's nearly time to bring our heatwave live page to a close but just before we go, with temperatures hitting 40C (104F) today, a shout out to the many BBC Weather Watchers who headed out early this morning to take pictures.On what's been the hottest day in the UK of the year (so far), this is how things looked across the East of England first thing.

BBC

Waldringfield on the bank of the River Deben in Suffolk was captured by BBC Weather Watcher Wiggy of Ipswich

BBC

Alfie Cole took this picture of Irthlingborough in Northamptonshire

BBC

This image of Chellington in Bedfordshire was taken by BBC Weather Watcher storminateacup

BBC

BBC Weather Watcher johnjac27 took this picture of Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire at sunrise

BBC

The farmer were out early on Happisburgh Common, Norfolk, as captured by derek

In pictures: People head to Great Yarmouth in the heat

While much of England has a red extreme heat warning and parts of Norfolk have hit 38C (100F), some people have taken the opportunity to head to the coast.

This was the scene at Great Yarmouth earlier and it looks delightful.

Andrew Turner/BBC

Andrew Turner/BBC

Andrew Turner/BBC

'It's hotter than Barbados'

With weather temperatures set to be "hotter than Barbados", Essex and Suffolk Water have urged people to be "water wise".

Demand on its services have risen by 20%.

Getty Images

Colin Day, head of water service planning at the company, said: “Fresh water is not in infinite supply, and our population is growing with increased urbanisation.

"Although our reservoirs are in a healthy position for this time of year, and we are used to managing high periods of demand, now is the time that our customers can really help us to keep the water flowing.

"By using items such as paddling pools and hot tubs, it can pull heavily on our resources – meaning sometimes the water is being used faster than it can be treated into drinking water."

The heatwave's records and risks mapped

By The Visual Journalism Team

BBC News

Council agrees to support climate change policies

Cambridgeshire County Council

On the hottest day on record for the UK, members of Cambridgeshire County Council have agreed to sign a declaration calling for climate change to be put at the forefront of the government’s agenda.

The authority signed the Nature and Climate Declaration, which calls for the UK to proceed further and faster in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The declaration was launched in Parliament in May and asks members of the public, elected representatives across all parties and all layers of government to add their names.

On Tuesday afternoon Cambridge recorded a temperature of 39.9C, breaking its previous record.

Councillor Lorna Dupré, chair of the council’s Environment and Green Investment committee, said: "Climate change and biodiversity are the two biggest issues of our time and the risks of delayed action are well recognised and severe."

The government said it was committed to net zero emissions by 2050.

Hemel Hempstead gets hot and festive

Alex Pope

BBC News Online

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Old Town Hemel Hempstead!

Emy Brickle was feeling festive among the heat when she took this photo on Monday.

Emy Brickle Photography

The town, where the hit Netflix show After Life was filmed, is a popular filming location and she believes it is not early planning on the towns part but a film shoot setting up.

"We drove past on our way to the park to take the dog for a swim and thought it was amusing to have a fully decorated Christmas tree on the square on one of the hottest days, so I jumped out and took a quick pic", she said.

Sam Armstrong

Sam Armstrong also spotted the yuletide cheer and said it made her "giggle".

Snow-cone anyone?

Measuring temperature

Norfolk and its Caribbean crystal style clear waters

For the past couple of days many of us have tried different things to keep cool and for Chris Taylor it was a chance to go snorkelling off the Norfolk coast, at Sheringham, with his camera.

"With the sea reportedly being 18-20C at the moment, it’s the perfect temperature for cooling off but not so cold as to make you yelp", he said.

Chris Taylor Photo

When the weather is right the water of the Sheringham coast becomes crystal clear

Chris Taylor Photo

The chalk reef has become a snorkel trail for many visitors keen to enjoy the sea life

The Sheringham Snorkel Trail, formed on top of a disused Victorian sewage pipe, boasts a "huge array of colourful and interesting sea life," said Mr Taylor.

Divers can make their way along the trail, which features ropes and buoys.

"The recent calm weather has allowed the water to clear and from the air you could be looking at the Caribbean with crystal clear, azure seas and sandy beaches all along the North Norfolk coast.

Chris Taylor Photo

"With the multicoloured seaweed, sponges and many anemones it’s an underwater paradise and a great escape, even if just for half an hour, from the searing heat we are experiencing at the moment."

Chris Taylor Photo

Taylor is an experienced underwater photographer and knows the Sheringham coastline well.

The RNIL warns people to respect the water and be aware of rip currents, waves and cold temperatures.

• If you're struggling in the water, fight the urge to thrash around
• Lean back, extend your arms and legs
• Gently move them around to help you float if you need to
• Float until you can control your breathing
• Only then, call 999 or 112 for help or swim to safety

Advice from the RNLI

Villages were joint-hottest places in UK on Monday

Fire service calls in more crews as incidents escalate

All 19 fire engines from Cambridgeshire are out at incidents, the fire and rescue service says.

They're having to call in extra crews and are urging people to take extra care during the hot weather.

Firefighters dealing with field fire in Suffolk

Suffolk Fire and Rescue has been dealing with a field fire near Campsea Ashe.

It said the public should keep away from the area and resident should close windows and doors if the smoke is heading for their property.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue

The fire service had eight crews on the scene

London Euston trains suspended over cable fire

All trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes have been suspended as emergency services deal with a fire near the track.

The blaze was caused when overhead electric cables came down in Harrow in north London, which Network Rail said was caused by the extreme temperatures.

Please follow our 'do not travel' message today as journeys are being severely impacted. Once the emergency services give us the go-ahead, we will work as fast as we can to restore the railway lines. We're sorry to people impacted and we're working as fast as we can to get things back up and running.

James DeanNetwork Rail

Keepers working hard to keep animals cool

UK heatwave: Animal keepers 'working hard to keep them cool'

If you are finding it hard to stay comfortable in the heat, spare a thought for certain animals and the people looking after them.

Staff at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire have been feeding their sea lions fish encased in ice, while other creatures, including tortoises and elephants, have been cooling off under sprinklers and hoses.

Acting head keeper Tom Robson said: "The African species are very well adapted to the hot weather and seem to enjoy the heatwave far more than the keepers do.

"But some of the animals, particularly those with thicker fur, have struggled this week and the keepers here have been working hard to keep them cool."

School sorry for sending boy in shorts home

Thunderstorm: Yellow warning for East of England on Wednesday

A yellow warning has been issued by the Met Office to the East of England for Wednesday.

It says heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected between 13:00 BST and 21:00.

"Whilst most places will see only small amounts of rain there is a chance of some isolated heavy downpours and lightning", it said.

Met Office

Large fire breaks out in Milton Keynes

Firefighters are dealing with a large fire in the Walnut Tree area of Milton Keynes.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue said 12 appliances and crews along with 12 officers are currently at the scene of a fence fire which has spread to neighbouring buildings.

@MaccaOsu

One of the buildings was a nursery, but the owners have said all children and staff team were safely evacuated.

Milton Keynes Council leader Pete Marland tweeted to say residents have been evacuated and the authority has established a rest centre.

@Sam_Films_Stuff

Fire service called out to 130 incidents

Why does heat make you drowsy? And other questions