SWINDON is chilling out and investing in ice to combat the hot weather.

Tesco supermarket in Ocotal Way is selling nearly 1,000 bags of ice a day, as temperatures reached a sweltering 32 degrees Celsius in Swindon.

Graham Sadd, fresh food training manager at Tesco, said: "There has been a 1,000 per cent increase in ice cube sales. The amount we are shifting is quite staggering."

Meat for barbecues, bread rolls, salad and ice- cream is also selling in huge quantities. But Mr Sadd claims the store is coping with the surge in demand.

He said: "Our supply chain is very good so we are managing to restock the shelves quickly. It's funny because customers are lingering by the fridges to cool down."

Sainsbury's has been less fortunate with salad supplies.

Colin Weaver, manager of Sainsbury's in Paddington Road, said: "We've sold out of salad for the past two days. Iceberg lettuces are usually the first to disappear. We've tried ordering extra, but the response isn't fast enough."

He puts the shortage down to Asda's closure in West Swindon for refurbishment.

The store, which has been shut since Monday, re-opened this morning boasting a new salad bar.

Tim Jackson, people manager at Asda, said: "If you want salad, this is the place to come. Our help yourself salad bar boasts around 30 different varieties from coleslaw to Waldorf salad."

Some Swindon punters pushed the boat out, hedging bets on temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The odds, which stood at 33-1 in January, shortened to 2-1 at Ladbrokes betting shops.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "The industry stands to lose £300,000 if it hits the 100 mark. Some punters have been trying their luck in Swindon, but we're confident we'll be walking on sunshine with this one."

Motorists travelling on the A34 at the M4 Newbury junction in Berkshire ran into a spot of bad luck just after noon yesterday when two lorries collided.

The crash, which resulted in minor injuries, created more than three miles of tailback.

Police officers brought water from supermarkets and service stations to give to motorists stuck in scorching hot cars.

The heatwave will be less severe today and tomorrow, with temperatures dropping to 29 degrees Celsius.

By Saturday, they are expected to climb back up to 32 degrees.