In pictures: Britain swelters in record-breaking heat

The UK experienced its hottest June day on record on Thursday as temperatures hit 36.4C in Somerset.

It marked the second time this week the record was broken after temperatures reached 36.1C in Hampshire on Wednesday.

As extreme temperatures continue to grip the country, hundreds of schools have been forced to close early, while transport has faced significant disruption, with train passengers advised to avoid all non-essential travel.

With a rare red weather warning in place until Friday for the south of England, people across the UK are trying to cope with the heat in different ways.

How to cope in a heatwave - according to you

Why this heatwave feels worse than the last one

While many people have been enjoying the warm weather, the Met Office has warned it could result in "population-wide adverse health effects", leading to serious illness or even danger to life.

Doctors are reporting increased pressure and difficult conditions in hospitals, according the Royal College of Physicians.

The college added there are numerous reports of older patients being brought in after collapsing because of dehydration and said its members have linked the extreme heat to causing machines and equipment to malfunction.

Commuters faced long delays on Wednesday evening as public transport struggled to deal with the heat.

Train operators including South Western Railway, Thameslink, Northern and Avanti West Coast have asked people to make essential journeys only and have put reduced timetables in place.

Transport for London warned passengers that "very high temperatures" might cause disruption to some Tube and rail services.