As temperatures break new records across the UK, everyone - from dogs to ducks - is trying to keep cool.

From going for a splash or staying hydrated, to slathering on the sunscreen, we've seen a variety of strategies on display in photos coming in to us from BBC Weather Watchers.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | Ulani

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | Yen Milne

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | Stan Drew

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers | DannyMcGuigan

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

The BBC has confirmed with the Met Office that the highest temperature so far this afternoon has reached 34.0C at Heathrow and Teddington.

As we've been reporting, elsewhere Wales has seen its warmest May day on record with 31.1C at Trawscoed.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have had their warmest day of the year with 25.5C at Charterhall and 24.6C at Hillsborough.

There’s a chance we could see an update to this later this afternoon once all the data comes in but we’re now getting past the hottest part of the day so temperatures are generally levelling off.

Image source, Getty Images

As we explained earlier, the heatwave that’s been felt across parts of the UK and Europe is consistent with what we would expect in a changing, hotter climate.

According to the latest European State of the Climate report, Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world with heatwaves becoming more frequent and more intense.

As climate change worsens, climate anxiety has become more prominent in recent years. Young people are thought to be most at risk, the government says, external.

Feelings often associated with this type of anxiety include fear, sadness, anger, dread and powerlessness.

The UK government says information should be communicated in an "age-appropriate, hopeful and action-oriented way", helping people to feel heard and "capable of making a difference".

For those experiencing climate anxiety, Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner at environmental organisation Friends of the Earth says that "limiting your news consumption and time spent on social media, and getting out into nature, can also be good antidotes when things start to feel overwhelming".

Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter

Image source, BBC/Marita Moloney

The island of Ireland could be about to set a new May temperature record of more than 28C.

Temperatures in Northern Ireland have reached 25C in Hillsborough, County Down - around 10C above normal for the time of year.

That is also 3C below the May record for Northern Ireland which is 28.3C, set back in 1922.

While that record is not expected to be broken, a new record could be set in the Republic of Ireland where temperatures have climbed to 27C.

The record there for May is 28.4C, set in May 1997.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

We're around the hottest part of the day so temperatures will be starting to level out.

But in Scotland, it's now the hottest day of the year with temperatures of 25.3C in Charterhall. This beats the 23.6C on 1 May.

For Wales, with 30.8C recorded at Trawscoed, Ceredigion, it is now Wales's hottest May day on record.

While in Northern Ireland it has reached 24.3C in Armagh.

At Heathrow, temperatures have increased slightly to 33.6C in the last hour.

Elsewhere in England, they have now widely hit above 30C, including East Anglia, the Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

It's hot and sunny across most of the country, but this is the UK, so naturally it's still raining somewhere...

On the Shetland Islands, the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, the temperature is currently around 13C and there have been grey skies and spots of rain.

Jeannie has sent this image in to BBC Weather Watchers:

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Jeannie

We were sent this picture of similarly grey skies over the Scottish Highlands earlier.

But much of Scotland is still experiencing unusually warm weather - it's around 23C with blue skies in Edinburgh.

We've seen lots of photos today on the live desk of furry friends beating the heat - but Rosie is absolutely the first pet llama.

She took a dip in a paddling pool before retiring to lounge in the shade, we're told.

Diane in Worcestershire tells us that she's had Rosie as a pet for two years, and submits the below photo for everyone's consideration.

Stay cool, Rosie and Diane.

Leigh Boobyer
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

In Gloucestershire the annual cheese rolling races, which see competitors tripping and stumbling down an incredibly steep hill, do not usually take place in conditions this hot.

BBC reporter Andy Howard says he can recall the races down Cooper’s Hill taking place in drizzle, heavy rain and in very cold conditions, but never in temperatures this warm.

Ahead of today's races, the hill was described as very firm, with plenty of stones – not great conditions for the competitors who brave injury in their pursuit of the large double Gloucester cheese which is sent down the hill to signal the start of each race.

For the spectators too it has been a challenging day, with people getting there early to find the few shady spots to watch the race from.

• For more on the dash for cheese, check out the BBC's local coverage

As we've been reporting, around 500 properties in Sussex and Kent have either no water, or have been experiencing supply issues today.

These are some of the latest pictures from Ashford, where a bottled water station has opened at Challock Village Hall for affected customers. South East Water has apologised for the disruption, citing an "increased demand" across its network.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

In the last few moments we’ve had the 13:00 BST temperatures reported and the maximum so far is now 33.5C at Heathrow.

Not only does this make it the hottest day in May on record, but also the hottest bank holiday Monday on record (exceeding the 33.3C seen in the August bank holiday in 2019).

Along with the warmest May night on record we saw last night, that’s three new major records we’ve seen today.

Temperatures will continue to rise over the next couple of hours and even away from the south-east of England, it’s hot out there with temperatures widely into the mid-to high 20s.

Temperatures continue to rise - the Met Office says temperatures of 33.5C have been recorded at Heathrow.

That provisionally further extends the record for the UK's hottest May day, which was broken just under half an hour ago.

As we just reported, temperatures in Heathrow have reached 32.9C, surpassing the all-time record for May.

According to the Met Office, the previous May record stood at 32.8C.

That temperature was recorded in Camden Square on 22 May 1922 and then again in Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Regent's Park on 29 May 1944.

Now, 82 years later, the record for May has been surpassed at Heathrow.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

The temperature has reached 32.9C at Heathrow in the last 30 minutes.

A new May temperature record.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

Image source, Getty Images

There has been a lot of coverage recently about El Niño - the natural warming pattern in the tropical Pacific - that’s forecast to be one of the strongest on record this year.

El Niño occurs when the sea surface temperatures rise in the tropical Pacific to more than 0.5C above normal and as well as bring chaos to weather patterns around the world, leads to a higher global average temperature.

Some have asked whether the heatwave across the UK and Europe has any link to the developing El Niño.

And the answer is, no.

While the topical Pacific is warming unusually fast right now, El Niño isn’t likely to be declared for another month and its impacts will be felt later in the summer and through into 2027.

You can read more about it here.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

We’ve not even reached the hottest part of the day and the May maximum temperature record of 32.8C from 1944 has been equalled.

We will continue to see the temperature rise over the next few hours - as we’ve been reporting, 34C or possibly even 35C is possible.

But even away from south-east England, temperatures have soared into the high 20s.

Just a reminder that the average temperature for the end of May is between 14 and 20C. With temperatures today up to 15C above that average, this is an unprecedented early season heatwave.

Temperatures have provisionally matched the all-time record for May, according to the Met Office.

It says temperatures at Teddington Bushy Park, in south-west London, hit 32.8C.

The last time a place hit 32.8°C in May was in 1944 at Regent's Park, Horsham, and Tunbridge Wells.

When temperatures reach the levels they're currently at, it can be easy to overheat - which can sometimes lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion usually does not require emergency medical help, as long as you can cool down, says the NHS.

But heatstroke is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment.

Older adults, young children and people with long-term health conditions are especially at risk.

Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

As we’ve been reporting, for an official heatwave to be declared, a location needs to reach a specific temperature threshold for three days in a row.

That threshold depends on the location.

I can confirm that with temperatures already in the high 20s and exceeding those thresholds across East Anglia and south-east England, more locations have officially gone into a heatwave.

Many other areas across England and Wales will now be on day two of meeting the threshold. With the heat continuing on Tuesday, many more of us will meet the criteria for an official heatwave.

Patrick Barlow
BBC South East

An annual bank holiday donkey derby in Surrey will not include its planned donkey racing over fears about the soaring temperatures.

Leatherhead Lions Club says both the donkey racing and a dog show have been axed "for the welfare and comfort of the animals", while attractions like fairground rides and music will still go ahead.

The decision comes as forecasters expect the May temperature record - currently 32.8C - to be broken within the next few hours.

Temperatures could rise as high as 34C in parts of the UK, according to forecasters, with Leatherhead expected to see a peak of 33C.

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

Temperatures have increased rapidly over the last few hours, and in many areas it's five degrees warmer than this time yesterday.

At 11:00 BST, the highest temperature was 30.5C recorded at London's Heathrow.

This suggests that the May record - currently 32.8C - will easily be broken over the next few hours.

It’s looking inevitable that the record for the hottest bank holiday Monday - of any month - will also be broken today. It currently sits at 33.3C, set in August 2019.

Here’s how hot it is where you are at 11:00: