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Record-breaking temperatures are already causing chaos across the country today, with trains grinding to a halt and thousands facing an unbearably sticky morning commute. 

But the scorching temperatures have also led to a range of other more unusual outcomes, from the closure of an artificial beach due to the sand being too hot to farmers smearing suncream on their prized pigs at a country show. 

Meanwhile, discount supermarket chain Aldi has even begun rationing bottles of water at a supermarket in south London – with customers limited to one bottle of still or sparkling per person. 

The Met Office has warned that temperatures could rise even further to 43C (109F) tomorrow. Temperatures had already hit 32C (90F) in Cambridge and West London by 11am today. 

Pigs get SUNCREAM and wet towels at Royal Welsh Show  

Pigs are being covered in suncream to protect them at one of Britain’s biggest country shows.

Farmers are using the suncream to protect the animals’ sensitive skin in the blistering heat at the Royal Welsh Show.

Award-winning pig farmer Ela Mair will be covering her six entrants – including five pedigree Welsh pigs – in cold wet towels to keep them cool.

Joel Orman sprays SPF 50 sunscreen on British Lop pigs at the Royal Welsh Show

‘Pigs don’t let out the heat as well as other animals so it is difficult to keep them cool,’ said Ela, 45, of Pwllheli in Gwynedd.

‘We put cold wet towels over them but we need to be careful that the heat doesn’t dry the towels too quickly so it can reheat them.

‘So we’ll be keeping them in the shade as much as possible and keeping the fans on them as much as we can.’

More than 50,000 people are expected every day at the four-day Royal Welsh Show – one of Europe’s biggest agricultural events – and organisers have been told by public health bodies to prepare for the extreme heat.

The Royal Welsh’s chief vet Dafydd Jones admitted the forecast for the show near Builth Wells in Powys was ‘worrying’.

‘Animals suffer like people – if not worse – in extreme heat and with so many animals there, it is very worrying that animals will find it difficult to cope with the heat,’ he said.

Organisers have spent more than £50,000 on extra fans and ventilation in livestock sheds to keep the approximate 8,000 animals as cool as possible while extra water will be available.    

‘Beach’ closes because the sand will be ‘too hot for children’  

A beach is closing today because the sand will be ‘too hot for kids to play on’.

Officials have decided to close the attraction at Leicester’s Humberstone Gate shopping centre for two days. Funfair rides have also closed..

Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: ‘In these extreme temperatures, the sand on our beach would be far too hot for children to play in.

Officials have decided to close the artificial beach at Leicester’s Humberstone Gate shopping centre for two days

‘And there’s also a risk that the funfair rides’ generators would overheat.

‘In the interests of our customers’ wellbeing, and the safety of our staff, we have decided to close these attractions on Monday and Tuesday.

‘While this extreme weather continues, we would advise people to seek out the shade – and, weather permitting, we hope to reopen the City Beach and the funfair on Wednesday.’

One local – called Mark – said: ‘Blimey. Red Alert sounds serious. Wondering if real beaches will be closed as well?’

Supermarket limits water to one bottle of still or sparkling per person    

This sign warning shoppers was spotted at the Streatham store in South London over the weekend

Aldi is rationing water – limiting customers to one type of bottled water per person.

A sign warning shoppers was spotted at the Streatham store in South London over the weekend.

It read: ‘Maximum 1x type of water per person.’

Scorching summer temperatures have already caused disruption for UK retailers. 

In B&M, a video showed chocolate bars melting on shelves.

And shoppers have been asked to ensure they wear t-shirts and tops when heading to the supermarket and the pub.

Meanwhile, Iceland invited customers to chill out in its freezer aisles amid the heatwave.

Aldi has been contacted for comment.

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