In Pictures: UK tries to keep cool as heat warning issued on year’s hottest day

Temperatures hit 34.8C in Cambridge on Monday, which was declared the hottest day of the year for the UK so far.

Children leap off a pontoon at Clevedon Marine Lake in Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)

People sought out water and shade as they tried to keep cool during what has been declared the hottest day of the year for the UK so far.

There was a sharp peak of heat and humidity on Monday, with temperatures soaring as high as 34.8C in Cambridge and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing several yellow heat health warnings for parts of England.

Temperatures are expected return to average levels on Tuesday, according to the Met Office, which also issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms on Monday for northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.