Chloe Harcombe
BBC News, Bristol

We're bringing today's live coverage of the heatwave to an end. Thanks for sticking with us throughout the scorching weather.

The main things to mention are:

• A record temperature of 36.7C was recorded in Merryfield, near Ilminster in Somerset
• A Met Office red heat alert remains in place until midnight and a UKHSA red health alert is in place until 23:00 BST tomorrow.
• A Met Office yellow storm warning is in place from 18:00 until midnight, with a small chance of damage to buildings from strong winds, lightning strikes and flooding.

We'll continue our coverage of the heatwave tomorrow.

Remember to stay safe and hydrated.

Holly Rattley
West of England

Wiltshire Police officers are patrolling city centres and popular rural areas with open water as temperatures continue to soar.

Assistant Ch Con Liz Coles is urging people to exercise "sensible precautions" and "stay hydrated, limit time in direct sunlight, particularly during peak hours and check in on neighbours, friends and those who may be more vulnerable".

Image source, Wiltshire Police

The force adds ensuring public safety by tackling anti-social behaviour - including seizing alcohol and drugs where appropriate - remains a priority.

"Officers have a range of enforcement powers available and will not hesitate to act against individuals engaging in disruptive or inappropriate behaviour," Coles says.

"Wiltshire is open and ready to welcome visitors wishing to enjoy everything the county has to offer. We simply ask that everyone behaves responsibly and shows consideration for others."

Just like us, our pets are struggling to stay cool in the heat.

Stephen Murden from Gloucester sent us this picture of Opollo the cat chilling by the fan.

Image source, Stephen Murden

Danielle Sinclair from Keynsham sent us this picture of Percy and Leo who are “well and truly flopped”.

Image source, Danielle Sinclair

“I have promised them cooler days are coming, so let’s hope there are no changes to the forecast else I’ll be in deep trouble,” she jokes.

Becky Giles from Stroud says her cat Bertram is trying to keep cool too.

Image source, Becky Giles

You can read advice about how to keep your furry friends safe and cool here.

Bea Swallow
West of England

Chris Wade, a volunteer lifeboat helm at the RNLI in Portishead, says it's a "common mistake" for people to dive into water on a hot day, which can often prove "quite treacherous".

"The sea temperature will still be around 14C or 15C this time of year so there is a real danger, if people fall in the water, of cold shock.

"That's where they gasp for breath, their heart starts to palpitate and they might panic. Sadly, that's when people drown because they can't control themselves," he said.

If you find yourself in difficulty, the RNLI recommends leaning back and floating, external while you catch your breath and acclimatise.

"Once they're in a position where they've regained their composure and they're breathing regularly again, they can try and get themselves out of trouble by swimming to safety or calling for help," Wade added.

"Our advice would always be go to a life-guarded beach where you know there are people looking out for you, swim between the red and yellow flags and keep yourself safe."

The warning comes a month after at least 18 people died in the UK after getting into difficulty in the water, many of them teenagers.

Chloe Harcombe
Bristol

The Met Office and UKHSA have issued several warnings this week.

Currently, these warnings remain in place:

• Met Office red weather warning: In place until midnight across the West - although it has been extended in other parts of the UK.
• Met Office yellow storm warning: In place in Somerset from 18:00 BST until midnight. The agency says there's a small chance of damage to buildings from strong winds, lightning strikes and flooding, as well as short term power losses.

• UKHSA red heat health alert: While temperatures are set to peak today, the government agency says there will still be a risk to health until 23:00 tomorrow.

As we've just heard, the official June record has been broken in Somerset. But how hot is it where you are?

BBC Weather presenter Sara Thornton has been keeping an eye on the temperatures around the patch and has told us the following figures:

• Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire: 34.7C
• Fairford, Gloucestershire: 34.9C
• Larkhill, Wiltshire: 35.1C

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Earlier, the Met Office said the record for the hottest ever day in June had been broken in Yeovilton, Somerset, where 36.4C had been recorded.

But after a fault with the temperature monitoring system this is now under review.

They've now told us the current highest temperature is at Merryfield, near Ilminster in Somerset, at a slightly higher 36.7C.

Emma Colman
Chippenham

Sue Spearey has been visiting the Chippenham community hub, which has invited people to enjoy its air-con and activities.

She says the heat has left her feeling not too well: "It's been so hot in my flat. I went out early this morning- it was lovely early this morning. I come in here to the crochet group, so I know they had somewhere cool for me to sit."

Last night, she slept on her front room floor: "That was about the coolest place I could find in my flat. I like some heat, but I like a breeze as well."

Margaret Meadows has been at the hub too, but says that when she's in her own home, she's closing all the curtains.

"You perspire rather a lot," she said. Adding it was "comfortable" at the hub "apart from your skirt sticking" to your skin.

Of England in the heat, she said "we're not quite prepared for it are we?"

Chloe Harcombe
BBC News, Bristol

When it’s hot, many people find they lose their appetite.

This is a normal thing to experience while the body is working hard to keep cool.

After we eat, blood is normally diverted to the gut to aid digestion, which consumes energy and generates heat.

But when it’s hot and our bodies try to shed warmth, the blood flow to our gut becomes suppressed to try and keep our overall temperature down.

Our bodies also prioritise hydration over food when it’s hot. Drinking too much too quickly can make us feel bloated, which can discourage appetite even more.

Fuelling your body is still important. Dan Baumgardt, from the University of Bristol, suggests eating smaller portions of lighter, cold foods that are rich in water and electrolytes may be more appealing in this weather.

How are your pets coping in the heat?

Melanie says she bought a cooling mat for her dog, but Yuri the “head cat” has claimed it instead.

Don’t forget you can send us your pictures and videos through the contact form at the top of this page.

Ross Pollard
Somerset reporter

We're all being urged to check on anyone who may need a helping hand during this severe heat.

Those aged over 75 are at a significantly higher risk during heatwaves because aging naturally impairs the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Combined with prescription medications and underlying medical conditions like heart disease or asthma, over-75s are far more vulnerable to severe dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Stephanie Westlake, manager at the Hummingbird Care Home in Taunton, says staff are taking extra precautions to keep residents cool - including a paddling pool and frozen towels.

"It's actually life-threatening," she said. "Once somebody has become confused and dehydrated you're kind of on a downward spiral, so you need to be able to recognise when someone is not well."

But resident Ruth seems perfectly comfortable as she lounged on the sun-soaked terrace beneath a parasol.

"We're looked after so well. We've had ice lollies, fans everywhere, and I've not been hot at all," she laughed.

Chloe Harcombe
West of England

Image source, Getty Images

The demand for water increases during hot weather as people try to keep themselves, their pets and their households cool and hydrated.

South West Water says it has “no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this summer” as reservoir levels remain in a “healthy position” for this time of year.

In a statement, the water company says: “We’re well prepared for warmer months, following continued investment to strengthen supplies and reduce leaks."

Customers are reminded to be conscious of their water usage by taking shorter showers, using watering cans instead of hoses and keeping a jug of water in the fridge.

The company is also urging people to follow public safety advice and to stay out of reservoirs as hidden machinery, strong currents and deep, cold water can pose serious safety risks.

Earlier, South East Water announced a hosepipe ban in Kent following a “record-breaking” level of demand for water on Wednesday.

Mike Gilmore
BBC Radio Bristol

Staff at a Bristol hair salon are staggering their shifts throughout the day to reduce the number of people, hairdryers and heat appliances working at once in a desperate bid to control the temperature.

“Unfortunately, this is a 150-year-old building so we don’t have air con in here," said owner Feargal Doyle.

"We’ve got lots and lots of fans out to try and keep our clients cool and comfortable, but it’s a bit of a challenge."

Doyle said the hair products are also feeling the heat, with bleach bowls beginning to bubble.

"It's kind of a normal part of the process, but the heat is definitely accelerating it," he said.

"We're just making little adjustments in our formulas and service times, which stops the peroxide from over-oxidizing and lifting [the colour] too fast."

The Met Office has just announced that Yeovilton, in Somerset, has broken the record for the hottest day in June with 36.4C.

This surpasses the previous high of 36.1C which was recorded in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday.

Sophie Parker
Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council's public protection service has been offering advice to dog owners, explaining they can't regulate their body temperature like humans.

"Even a short walk in hot weather can quickly lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal," a spokesperson said.

They emphasised that a dog won't be harmed by missing a walk, but can die in extreme heat, and said walks early morning or late evening are better, when it's cooler.

Another tip is to check the ground, with the advice: "If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws."

Fresh water at all times is needed, as well as keeping a dog somewhere cool and shaded.

A dog with heatstroke will have symptoms including: excessive panting or drooling, lethargy or confusion and vomiting or collapse. Any of these signs, pet owners should contact their vet.

Image source, Crispin la valiente/Getty

Sophie Parker
Wiltshire

Longleat has announced it is closing at 2pm to ensure the safety and "welfare of staff, animals and guests".

People who have pre-booked tickets are being contacted via email.

The estate will also be closing Shearwater Cabin and Longleat Forestry, popular with locals in the Warminster area.

Sara Thornton
BBC Weather

Today will see the peak of temperatures in the West of England, with the potential for highs of 37C.

The fiercest heat will then slowly shift eastwards, but even so, we're likely to see the mercury hover around the low 30s until Sunday, when it will become cooler.

Aside from the heat, we also now have the added threat of some thunderstorms this evening and overnight.

They will be localised but could bring flash flooding along with hail, frequent lightning strikes and gusty winds.

The Met Office's severe weather warnings are in place for both heat and thunderstorms.

Amy Louise Read, who runs the The Flower Bowl in London Road, Gloucester, said staff we're coping well.

"We have a giant fridge as big as the shop out the back, so everything’s kept in there, and we're just running back and forth to the fridge all day."

“This is a really old building, so it doesn’t cool down very well, so we rely on the breeze coming through the whole building and we can’t afford the electric prices of putting fans on," she added.

Sophie Parker
Wiltshire

Organisers of a history festival attended by 20,000 people say the event will go ahead despite today's red alert.

The Chalke History Festival is a week-long annual event near Salisbury, Wiltshire, that stages re-enactors, displays and talks.

It started on Monday and will run until Sunday.

Organisers said there are lots of shady spots for festival-goers, as well as extra fans in tents and free water refill stations.

Visitors are urged to bring refillable bottles, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, lightweight clothing and avoid drinking too much alcohol.