The UK was enjoying another balmy day, with the prospect of temperatures hitting a record for the time of year.

But thunderstorms were forecast for the evening, with a yellow severe weather warning covering most of England, Wales and Scotland from 6pm on Tuesday until 9am on Wednesday.

Summer weather July 23rd 2019
The water was a popular way to cool down as the school holidays began in many areas (Danny Lawson/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
People punt past the Botanic Gardens in Oxford (Steve Parsons/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
Temperatures were expected to peak in the high 30s (Steve Parson/PA)
Bank holiday changes
It was hot work for Morris dancers gathered outside Parliament for a protest over the date of next year’s early May bank holiday (Yui Mok/PA)
Bank holiday changes
After a spell of dancing, a spot of shade was welcomed (Yui Mok/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
Freddie Ward jumps into the water at Ilkley outdoor pool and lido in West Yorkshire (Danny Lawson/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
Yasmin Amindari enjoys an ice cream at Ilkley (Danny Lawson/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
A view of the loggia at Hever Castle in Kent through new flower meadows (Gareth Fuller/PA)
Royal visit to Wild Place Project
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and her son James, Viscount Severn, were spotted feeding a giraffe during a visit to Bear Wood at the Wild Place Project in Bristol (Jacob King/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
Thunderstorms were also predicted, although blue skies were predominant earlier in the day (Steve Parsons/PA)
Summer weather July 23rd 2019
The current record for a day in July is 36.7C at Heathrow Airport in 2015 (Gareth Fuller/PA)