- .Highest temperature was 31.4C recorded at Heathrow Airport this afternoon, with 31.3C recorded in Surrey
- .Today's heat beat the previous 2013 record of 29.7C set on July 7 - but hottest July day ever was 36.5C in 2006
- .Met Office issues heatwave warning for the elderly, sick and young children to take care in high temperatures
By MARIO LEDWITH and HELEN LAWSON
Britain basked in sizzling sunshine today as the mercury soared past 31.4C in parts of the country on what has been the hottest day of 2013 so far.
Thousands of sunseekers have packed beaches and parks as the UK has enjoyed hot sunshine for a second weekend running, a welcome change from a freezing spring and washout summer after washout summer.
And while experts predict the heatwave will last another week, we could be in for an even longer glorious spell.
That is because hot, sunny conditions are forecast for Monday – St Swithin’s Day, which according to folklore sets the weather pattern for the next 40 days.
A young woman jumped into the English Channel from the sea wall at Brighton before the beach became crammed with visitors on the hottest day of the year today
The south coast was one of the hottest places to be in Britain today with tourists packing out the pebble beach at Brighton
Andrew Smith pretended to be Superman as he leaped off the sea wall in Brighton, East Sussex today
There was little space to spare on Brighton beach today as people donned swimwear and sunglasses and headed to the seaside
Visitors to Brighton beach stripped off and stretched out on the pebbles to try to get a tan in the sunshine today
Adam Fewster-Noble, 13, was joined by his father Rob to go kayaking in Scarborough, North Yorkshire today
Scarborough's seafront was packed with sun worshippers out to enjoy the best weather of the year so far
Molly, a golden retriever, splashed around during a game of fetch on the beach in Scarborough
In Scarborough one dog-walker took off her shoes for a barefoot stroll on the beach, left, while Adam Fewster-Noble, 13, was an early riser to take his kayak out
Today has been the hottest day of the year so far according to the Met Office, with temperatures hitting 31.4C at Heathrow Airport, shading last weekend’s highs of 29C (84F) and the 29.9C (85.8F) on Monday in Edenfel, County Tyrone.
While much of the country saw highs of around 29C, Wisley in Surrey recorded temperatures of 31.3C, Otterbourne in Hampshire reached 30.9 and Exeter Airport saw temperatures as high as 30.8C.
Britons continued to make the most of the great outdoors – sales of barbecue equipment and sun lotion have already soared.
Waitrose has reported a 450 per cent rise in charcoal sales, while suncream sales have gone up 262 per cent.
British seasides were packed with visitors who could hardly believe their luck at a second weekend of sunshine, with barely an inch of space to spare on Brighton's pebble beach.
Cricket fans at Trent Bridge in Nottingham basked in 29C heat as they watched England take on Australia in the fourth day of the first Ashes test.
Visitors to Buckingham Palace relaxed in the gardens during the third day of the Coronation Festival show, which celebrates British brands that carry a royal warrant from the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh or the Prince of Wales.
Tomorrow will be a bit cooler, with a peak of 28C (82F) in the South, but it could be back near 30C (86F) on Monday.
And folklore aside, forecasters expect the area of high pressure bringing the hot weather to stay over Britain for at least another week.
Tom Tobler of Meteogroup said: ‘It is certainly going to be a very hot weekend with lots of sunshine.
‘Temperatures will drop a few degrees on Sunday into next week but we can’t see any sign of the hot weather changing.
'It’s likely to last for the next one or two weeks.’
But the heat has prompted authorities to warn the elderly, those with long-term medical conditions and children to take care.
Public Health England advised people to make sure their houses are kept cool, to drink plenty of water and to wear suncream to avoid the risks of dehydration, heat-stroke and sunburn.
As Britain enjoyed a second sizzling weekend in a row, Ben Partridge and Carmen Croxall chilled out on these huge deckchairs on the beach at Budleigh Salterton in Devon
In Southsea, Hampshire, nine-month-old Wren-La Rae Croft looked to be enjoying her first summer
Isla Abernethy-Beresford, aged 18 months, looked happy as she played near water jets in Southsea
Rolling Stones fans ran to get to the front of the stage ahead of their headline concert in Hyde Park tonight
Fans raced to get the best view of tonight's Rolling Stones show as soon as the gates opened to the arena at Hyde Park this morning
Cricket fans at Trent Bridge covered up from the sun's rays in hats as they watched day four of the first Ashes test
The temperature at Trent Bridge cricket ground in Nottingham hit 29C for fans watching England take on Australia in the first Ashes test
Richard Davis made sure his three-year-old daughter Ruth had her sun hat on to enjoy the hottest day of the year on a Scarborough beach
Neil Castleton riding a wave during a trip to the seaside at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, today
Dr Angie Bone said: ‘While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.
‘Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks.
'The elderly and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it’s important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible.’
A warning issued by the Met Office has been escalated to a level three alert for Yorkshire and the Humber after temperatures have already reached heatwave conditions.
Eight-year-old Alice Ross did her bit to help keep sisters Pepper and Pearl cool at Hackney City Farm in east London as the Tamworth rare breed pigs rolled in mud to avoid getting sunburned
Penguins at the Chessington World of Adventures zoo splashed about in their pool today
Teresa Kingston cooled off on a deckchair in the River Tees in County Durham today
Level two alerts are in place across most of England preparing the public for the possibility of heatwave conditions, which it says can have a significant impact on health.
'Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases,' the alert said.
A spokesman for Public Health England said: 'Level two alerts are triggered as soon as the Met Office forecasts that there is a 60 per cent chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days to have a significant effect on health.
'This will normally happen two to three days before a heatwave is expected to occur. As most deaths occur in the first two days, this is an important stage at which to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential heatwave.'
Rowers took to the River Wear in Durham today as the UK basked in the hottest weather of the year so far
A few boats glided along the River Wear near a busy-looking funfair in County Durham today
Nicola Rocco, 25, played with a bodyboard, right, and sunbathed on the beach at Bournemouth today, making sure to use sunscreen and wear a sun hat
Retailers were thrilled with shoppers rushing to spend money as a result of the hot weather.
Asda said sales barbecues have soared by 204 per cent in the last fortnight, with charcoal and fuel up 176 per cent.
The supermarket also said paddling pool sales were up 446 per cent and sales of garden furniture increased by 44 per cent as Britons made the most of being able to dine outdoors.
Last weekend alone Asda sold three million sausages and 1.4million burgers.
Online retailer Amazon said paddling pool sales were up by 816 per cent compared with this time last year while patio chairs and loungers were up 543 per cent.
A hen party in their best summer dresses enjoy the sunshine during the 2013 John Smith's Cup Meeting at York Racecourse, York
A woman at the races in York fanned herself in searing heat at the 2013 John Smith's Cup meeting
Ruby-Grace Farruggia, age two, ate an ice-cream in the arms of her father Lee on Castle Hill beach, in Tenby, West Wales, today
Sunbathers bagged themselves some deckchairs to enjoy the sunshine on Castle Hill beach, in Tenby, West Wales
Sunseekers turned to ice cream and parasols to keep cool in the heat at Castle Hill beach in Tenby
Sunbathers looked set for a long day out with drinks, sweets and magazines - and a rubber ring - as they enjoyed the sunshine on South Beach in Tenby
David Jones, of Waitrose, said: 'When temperatures reach the tipping point of 28C we see customers switching from ice creams to ice lollies and from fizzy pop to mineral water based drinks as rehydration becomes more important.'
Superdrug said this week was its biggest so far this year for suncare sales.
Simon Comins, of the chain, said: 'While we may moan about the British weather as soon as the sun comes out we certainly embrace the arrival of some summer heat.
'Our sales prove that sun starved Brits were eager to get out into the sunshine.'
Chris Earnshaw, managing director of John Lewis in Cardiff, said: 'This week's hot weather has resulted in good sales for all things summer.
The gardens of Buckingham Palace were packed with visitors today for the Coronation Festival Show for brands that hold a royal warrant
People enjoyed a drink at the Coronation Festival Show in the Buckingham Palace gardens ahead of performances from the National Youth Ballet and a Best of British catwalk show
One man took off his shoes and rested his eyes during a lie-down in the Buckingham Palace gardens, which were open to visitors for the Coronation Festival Show celebrating brands that have received the royal seal of approval during the Queen's 60 year reign
A couple enjoying a punt on Cambridge's River Cam shared a polka dot brolly for a bit of shade from the sunshine
The River Cam was packed with punters as visitors made the most of a hot day in Cambridge
'Recent sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Lions tour have encouraged customers to get active outdoors with sports equipment seeing sales increase by 60 per cent against last year.'
Britain's bookmakers fear their liabilities on the mercury hitting the 100F mark (37.7C) could soon reach £1million, as punters continue to place their bets.
Coral has already been forced to cut the odds several times in the last week, with the odds on 100F being reached down to 4-1, while a new record high is down to 8-1, from 10-1.
Coral's David Stevens said: "We know that 70 per cent of us check the weather forecast at least once a day suggesting we might be obsessed by it - that's why we have seen a record number of hot weather related bets.'
Some tourists on the River Cam in Cambridge used umbrellas for extra shade from the heat of the sun during a punt
Risky business: As the heatwave rises to new levels across the country, a young swimmer in Richmond, North Yorkshire cool off by diving from waterfalls into the cooling waters of the River Swale yesterday
Despite the welcome change from dreary and soggy weather, those looking to cool off in the water have also been warned to take care.
Police divers yesterday recovered the body of Damian Southall, 20, who disappeared in the River Severn at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, on Thursday afternoon while swimming with friends.
Later the body of a man was pulled from the waters of a Worcestershire quarry, in the same place where a teenager died last weekend.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Gullet Quarry, near Malvern, just before 4.25pm yesterday.
Shortly before 7pm, the body of a man was recovered and he was confirmed dead at the scene, a spokesman for WMAS said.
A member of staff hosed down a horse after a race at Newmarket racecourse yesterday to keep it cool
It was the same water in which 17-year-old Russell O'Neill, from Worcester, died last Saturday.
Safety campaigner Victoria Royce Williams urged: ‘No matter how hot it is, don’t swim in rivers. The river looks nice, but it is deadly.’
People have also been advised to take care in woodlands, where the hot and dry conditions pose a fire risk.
A huge blaze cut a 200-metre swathe through trees and gorse in Grinshill Woods near Wem, Shropshire, on Thursday.
Authorities believe the inferno, which was tackled by 40 firefighters, was started by the sun’s rays being magnified through broken glass.
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