Workers get 'sun' day off

Staff can spend their day off soaking up the sun

A firm in Lancashire is giving workers the day off to enjoy what is expected to be the UK's hottest day of the year.

Staff at advertising firm JGM in Rawtenstall will be making the most of the sunshine - away from their desks.

Temperatures are expected to rise to record levels on Wednesday across the country and the heatwave looks set to continue into the weekend.

However, the heat has continued to cause problems for rail commuters who have experienced delays caused by fears that rails could warp.

And a 17-year-old youth died after leaping into a lake in Hampshire to cool off.

Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far, the BBC Weather Centre said.

But forecasters say there is a possibility temperatures in the south-east could come close to the record of 37.1C recorded in Cheltenham in 1990.

Director of JGM Julie Grady said workers at her firm will be taking a break to enjoy the sunshine.

She declared: "The reaction has been delight among the staff.

"Firstly they were delighted that they could go out and have the day off.

Slow trains

"But secondly it's been a good PR exercise for me as a boss to be able to do it."

But rail commuters struggling to work in the heat will continue to face delays as some trains run slower than normal for a third day amid fears tracks may buckle in soaring temperatures.

The air conditioning broke down and we were left with almost no air inside the carriages Passenger Nicola Jones Passengers trapped on train

Network Rail will impose speed restrictions at noon each day until temperatures drop below 30C.

If temperatures reach record levels on Wednesday bookmakers William Hill stands to lose £250,000.

BBC forecaster David Braine said after temperatures reaching above 35C on Tuesday they were set to rise further on Wednesday to as high as 36C.

But temperatures would have to rise further to beat the UK record.

There may be the odd shower in the southeast later on Wednesday, but many parts will have a dry and very hot day with sunny spells but patches of mist will affect some coastal areas.

'Greenhouse effect'

The speed restrictions on the trains brought severe delays to passengers on the West Coast mainline and the Cross Country.

And journeys between London Euston and Birmingham were also taking longer than normal.

Elsewhere a group of passengers on a Virgin Train were trapped on a sweltering train for about four hours on Tuesday when it broke down in Cumbria.

The Virgin service from Plymouth to Edinburgh broke down at Tebay.

Hundreds watched a flying pig during a sunny Hyde Park event

Nicola Jones, en route to Carlisle, said there was a "greenhouse effect" on the train.

"The windows are huge on new trains and you could not open them. "

She continued: "The air conditioning broke down and we were left with almost no air inside the carriages."

Virgin Trains said an investigation was under way into the incident which happened because of a "technical fault" with the service.

Other effects the hot weather has been having:

• The AA urged motorists to take care not to lock their children and pets in cars by mistake, and to take breaks if they were tired from not sleeping properly at night

• Ice cream manufacturers predicted record sales for the year, with hot and dry conditions meaning ice cream "flying out of the door"

• England's winemakers are looking forward to a good crop of grapes.

  Will Davenport, owner of the Davenport Vineyards in Kent and East Sussex, said: "They are a Mediterranean crop and we have been enjoying Mediterranean weather so we couldn't ask for any more."

• Zoos fed ice lollies made from fish, fruit and herbs to penguins and animals to keep them cool, and put suntan lotion on some to stop them burning

The Department of Health has issued "ten tips" for how people can stay safe in the high temperatures.

These include sitting in the shade or indoors; covering up or using sunscreen; drinking more water and less alcohol; ventilating your home and avoiding physical exertion.