In Pictures: People try to keep cool in summer sun as temperatures soar

Swimmers headed to the water at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, as temperatures climbed (Owen Humphreys/PA) - (PA Wire)

People across the country looked for ways to cool down as temperatures soared.

While some enjoyed the sunshine, others avoided going outside amid a warning that a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe could bring temperatures of up to 40C by Wednesday.

The temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C which was measured in July 2022.

It was a perfect day for a walk on the beach for some (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

People enjoying the sun at King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth, on the north-east coast of England (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

People paddleboarding at Tynemouth (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

People walking on New Brighton Beach in The Wirral (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

The extreme weather has started to cause major disruption to the travel network, while scores of schools have announced they will close for the next few days.

A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office.

People sheltering from the sun under an umbrella on Westminster Bridge in central London (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Fans were proving helpful for those looking to stay cool (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

A topless man wearing a baseball cap backwards hydrates himself in the extreme heat (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

The Met Office said: “It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story.

“The other major factor is the high humidity which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure.”

Sunrise at Tynemouth before the day warned up (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Swimmers cool off as the temperature began to rise (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

People paddleboarding at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)