Ref. 30786-17IT'S not just children who have been enjoying the scorching temperatures and blue skies. Our feathered friends have been taking advantage of the weather too.

Adver photographer Siobhan Boyle snapped this youngster as she fed birds and ducks at Queens Park on Tuesday - the hottest day of the year so far.

"The ducks love the hot weather because the picnics come out," said Geoff Cook, a gardener at the park.

"This is a great place to come when it's hot.

"Although it's close enough to the centre of town, it's far enough to be away from the traffic. It's a nice green oasis."

Mr Cook said both people and animals have been taking advantage of a terraced area next to the cafeteria to sunbathe.

He added: "It's got to be one of the hottest Junes in recent years."

Met Office spokesman Dominic Woollatt said temperatures on Tuesday rocketed to 28C in the region several degrees higher than the average for this time of the year. Some parts of the country saw highs of 30C.

Sadly, the forecast is less rosy for the remainder of the week with cloud and rain on the cards.

"Going into the weekend, temperatures will drop to around 23 or 24C, which is about right for June," said Mr Woollatt.