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Temperatures in parts of the UK eclipsed those in Greece and Italy on Wednesday, reaching as high as 26C

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Thousands flocked to resorts such as Scarborough to take advantage of the spring sunshine

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The sun blessed the start of the Easter holidays

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There were different ways for people to cool down...

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The April heatwave gave much of Britain a taste of high summer

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Three-week-old Daffy (yellow) was let out of quarantine for a cold bath to cool down in the heat at London Zoo

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Paddlers enjoyed sun, sea and sand on Scarborough beach