WINDOWS were thrust open, jackets cast aside and shorts donned as temperatures in the Cotswolds peaked at their highest for the year.

British pleas were answered today as a heatwave landed in the country, pushing temperatures in some parts of the Cotswolds up to almost 30C.

Today, temperatures in Cirencester climbed to a scorching 29 degrees Celsius – hotter than Casablanca in Morocco and Istanbul in Turkey.

Weather next week is forecast to stay balmy but be colder than last week, with highs of 20C predicted and a chance of rain on some days.

As temperatures soared, Public Health England issued a warning to sun-worshippers to stay in the shade between 11am to 3pm and apply sun cream with at least SPF15.

The very forgetful were also warned to “drink lots of cool drinks” and “wear UV sunglasses”.