It Could be the Caribbean (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

It Could be the Caribbean

THE arrival of Caribbean type weather in the Cotswolds has proved a boon to sun-worshippers as they lap up the sun.

With temperatures as high as 100F expected over the coming days the beach at Keynes Country Park has proved a major attraction.

The park's administration officer Caroline Smith said: "Since Saturday we've been extremely busy.

On Tuesday we had to shut the gates briefly because we full and that's the first time I've known that to happen on a week day."

Tesco at Kingsmeadow, Cirencester, is one of many retailers benefiting from the heat, and has seen sales of summer goods such as ice cream, cold drinks and barbeques rise by almost a fifth.

A spokesman said: "The weather is doing really well for the store. In the last few days sales have gone up by about 18 per cent which doesn't sound particularly staggering but it is."

The Met Office predicts the hot weather lasting until the end of the month and possibly into September.

A spokesman said: "We could even get within a degree or two of the UK's all time record temperature of 37.1C (98.78F), but with temperatures that high we can't rule out the odd thunderstorm."

While the hot weather brings joy to thousands it could spell problems for many.

High temperatures have forced train company First Great Western to place a 60mph speed restriction on some of its trains as lines overheat, leaving many services delayed or cancelled.

The heat is also affecting water supplies, according to the Environment Agency.

A spokesman said: "During hotter periods, shortages can quickly develop if we don't use water sparingly. So are you using your water wisely?"

Farmers will also suffer in prolonged periods of hot, dry weather.

James Witt, group secretary for the NFU in Gloucestershire said: "If it goes on much longer than about a week then it starts to have adverse affects.

"The grass for livestock won't grow and on arable land the ground will bake and make it very difficult to plant."

At Bibury Trout Farm, farm manager Ian Peters said the climate was bringing in many visitors but it has caused water levels to fall.

He said: "Water levels are very low. They are the lowest we have had for some time and it's causing considerable concern."