Some like it hot – but we want to cool down

Luckily he's got his co-worker Mike Owen on hand to mop his brow – but it's clear it's not ideal work to be doing in such sweltering temperatures.

Elsewhere across the county, it was so hot at Shrewsbury Crown Court that judges gave the barristers permission to take off their wigs.

A number of schools also relaxed uniform rules, with some allowing pupils to attend lessons in shorts.

It's tough being in a heatwave – and even albino wallabies have to take precautions.

The sun is no laughing matter for Skippy the albino wallaby at the Lakeside Plant and Garden Centre in Priorslee. Scott Adams, who runs the Exotic Zoo in Donnington, Telford, said Skippy is being smothered in suncream to keep him safe.

He said: "The albino wallabies are quite rare so it is important we look after him as best as we can. We don't want him to miss out on enjoying and playing in the sun, so the only thing we can do is get him creamed up."

Urgent health warnings have been issued as Britain experienced its hottest day in nine years and the highest temperatures ever recorded in July.

Temperatures hit 30C (86F) across Shropshire and Mid Wales, but rose to 36.7C (98F) at Heathrow Airport in London.

It was expected to be cooler today before hotting up again on Friday.

Speed restrictions were imposed by Network Rail on some train lines amid fears the metal tracks could buckle in the searing heat.

And the AA warned that roads could melt, bringing disruption to motorists.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said metal rail tracks could get 20C (68F) hotter than the air temperature, meaning they could reach 55C (131F), prompting fears the steel could expand and buckle.

She said they were monitoring track temperatures and speed restrictions were in place across a number of lines, mostly in the south west. Public Health England today warned people to try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, and have called on the public to look out for the elderly, young children and those with serious illnesses.

Bookmakers Coral have slashed the odds on it being Britain's hottest ever summer from 4-1 to 3-1.

They said the chances that a hosepipe ban will be introduced somewhere in the UK is an odds-on favourite at 1-3 – although water company Severn Trent has already ruled out such a ban being put in place across Shropshire.

As the mercury rose yestreday, so the dress codes at many Shropshire workplaces were dropped. Top buttons were undone, extra water coolers shipped in and even free ice cream laid on to combat the soaring temperatures.

Fans and air conditioning units were cranked up to the max while at Shrewsbury Crown Court, boiling barristers were even given special permission to dispense with their wigs and robes by judges.

Paul Gossage, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust's marketing director, said workers employed some of the same tricks and techniques used by the Victorians a century ago – although he conceded it was much tougher to keep cool back then.

"Ladies changed their heavy winter wools and garments for lighter fabrics such as cotton and muslin," he said. "All said, especially for the gentlemen, the summer is a very warm time for a 'Victorian', wearing multiple layers, hats, it is exhausting in the hot weather.

"The Victorians also employed some alternative tricks to keep cool, such as a 'penny lick' which was a small portion of ice cream placed on top of a solid glass."

Mr Gossage said: "In the absence of any sun tan lotion Victorians would never have shown bare skin as clothing was the only form of sun protection."

Joanne Jones, from the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, said that staff were being provided with fresh juice from the on-site cafe, and complimentary ice creams were available for customers and staff. Also extra fans had been put in the office and the doors to the blacksmith's furnace were being left open all day.

Stewart Huxley, duty manager at Oswestry Leisure Centre, said doors had been opened throughout the centre to keep customers and staff cool. Mr Huxley said: "Free water fountains are available for customers throughout the centre."

He said the pool was the perfect place for overheating Oswestrians to cool off. "We are expecting plenty of people to come in for a swim, particularly because as the heat outside increases, the temperature of the water doesn't change."

Doug LeBeau, operations manager at Telford Shopping Centre, said on-site teams were being allowed to "dress down" and wear open neck shirts or polo shirts to work.

"For those who work outside we issue lightweight high-visibility jackets and appropriate headwear to prevent overheating whilst also maintaining their safety," he added.

"All of our staff are encouraged to increase their comfort breaks and we have installed a number of water coolers for staff to use around the centre.

"Our staff and first aiders are also on increased alert to spot any heat-related conditions amongst the public."

Temperatures soared in the blast furnaces of the foundry at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge. And in the sweltering greenhouses at Fordhall Farm, in Market Drayton, the community garden helpers were doing their best to keep their cool.

And extra water coolers, fans and ice cream help keep elderly residents cool at 14 care homes across the county.

Coverage Care runs homes in Shrewsbury, Telford, Whitchurch, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, Newport and Bishop's Castle.

Operations manager Mary Langdown said it was putting special measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of staff and residents.

"We have laid on extra water coolers to keep staff and residents well hydrated and fans to keep them cool," she said.

"There are extra air conditioning units in use and we are recommending residents have showers rather than baths.

"We have also put up gazebos in the gardens and we're laying on extra ice cream as well."

Shorts and T-shirts have become the school uniform for pupils at

St Andrew's Primary School in Nesscliffe. In a bid to tackle the scorching temperatures headmistress Nicola Maddocks decided that the children, aged from four to 11, could dress down until the end of term this month.

"In the light of the weather the children can come to school in shorts and T-shirts. No uniform is needed," she said.

Jack Todman, 11, from Kinton, near Nesscliffe, said: "It is better than wearing trousers and polo shirts any day."

Mayor of Ludlow Paul Draper, who is operations manager at DMS Plastics, said it was always hot going for the 25-strong workforce at the plastics manufacturer and supplier on Ludlow's Eco Park.

But he said: "We have plenty of cold drinking water available for all our staff."