Shops and businesses in Oxford struggle on through the heat

The city's hottest ever temperature is 35.1C, according to experts at the Radcliffe Meteorological Station, which has records dating back to 1815 and thermometers suggest it has already been beaten.

READ AGAIN: Oxford's record temperature beaten in heatwave

In Oxford city centre staff working in shops, pubs and other businesses did their best to keep cool.

Ice cream sales at iScream gelateria in the Covered Market, and at a stall in Cornmarket, were going through the roof.

Graham MacDonald, who runs the shop, said: "The customers come in waves - it's been extremely busy."

Staff at Pershore Seafoods, the fishmonger at the market, were not so lucky as the extreme heat melted ice their fish were being displayed on and they called it a day at 2pm.

At The Crown pub off Cornmarket kitchen staff cooked up dishes in a second-floor kitchen and then sent the meals down to the bar in a dumb waiter.

Bar staff team member Liz Stevenson said temperatures in the kitchen may be exceeding 40 degrees C.

She added: "It's hot but they just keep going - it's been a bit quiet during the day and we hope it will pick up in the evening when it cools down a bit."

Wasps in thebakery area caused a problem for staff at Tesco in Speedwell Street.

And as well struggling with its air conditioning, McDonald’s on Botley Road has a sign on its door saying it cannot serve any milkshakes or ice creams.