In Pictures: England's heatwave

Gritters made an unseasonal appearance on England's roads as temperatures soared on Tuesday. They were used to spread crushed rock onto melting tarmac.

And this picture of a melting road surface at Tadcaster in Yorkshire shows why the gritters were needed as rising temperatures topped 30C (86F) across much of the country.

The South East enjoyed the hottest temperatures of all and crowds of sun worshippers flocked to beaches in seaside resorts such as Brighton.

Sunbathers were out in force away from the coast as well with London's parks providing some good spots for lapping up the rays.

A solar powered boat was launched on the Serpentine in Hyde Park - on a good day to employ the heat of the sun.

But more traditional forms of aquatic transport were also in action not too far away on the same piece of water.

With temperatures possibly set to reach 37C (99F) by the end of the week fountains such as the Princess Diana Memorial in Hyde Park provided a welcome source of cool water.

Ice cream vans across the country were doing a roaring trade as people sought ways to cool down in the hot sun.

Among those enjoying an ice cream was English golf legend Nick Faldo, in practice for the Open which starts at Hoylake on Thursday.

Spectators at the Royal Liverpool course also needed to find ways to refresh themselves and the beer tent was far from empty on Tuesday.

Forecasters think Wednesday may be even hotter than Tuesday - so expect more people to be jumping into Trafalgar Square's fountains.