And Europe has basked in a long-awaited prolonged spell of hot weather, with high temperatures.

In the Italian capital Rome, animals at the zoo were given frozen fruit and fish to cope with the 34 degrees Celsius heat.

Belgium's capital Brussels set up a city beach to offer relief to those who can't afford to go abroad this year due to the tough economic times.

Meanwhile in Germany, temperatures are forecast to reach almost 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

The heat wave has also hit the French capital Paris, which saw temperatures climb to 35 degrees Celsius for the second day in a row on Friday.