Ref. 25683-40THE people of Swindon are making the most of the soaring summer temperatures.

As the mercury soared to 32.5C - or a scorching 90F - in the shade, parents with young children made a bee-line for the outdoor pool at Coate Water to cool down.

Jenny Pollard took her two-year-old daughter for a dip with her four-year-old cousin Bradley Harding.

She said: "It is so nice to have an outdoor pool here and we are determined to make the most of it."

And Gina King, 36, who was at the pool with her three year old son, Alex, said: "It is a really good day out for the youngsters."

Also enjoying the weather were Helen Milne, 25, her daughter Chloe, three, accompanied by Helen's friend Carol Cuss, 33, and her daughters Annabel, two, and Joseph, four.

Helen said: " This is the first time I have come here and I am really impressed."

Maintenance engineer Mark Oliver, 42, bought all three of his children, Liam, 9, Connor, 7, and Kathryn, 5, to the pool for the day.

"It is very good down here. It is nice to have an outdoor pool, it is just what you need on a day like this. We are having a great time."

Joyce Healey was at the pool supervising her four-year-old granddaughter Annabel Ruggiero."Annabel loves coming here. There is a nice family atmosphere and she always enjoys herself," she said.

A met office spokesman for the Bracknall Weather Centre, Sean Clarke, said: "It looks like this could be the hottest day of the year that we have seen so far for the Swindon area.

"Temperatures are at about 31 or 32degC, while not unprecedented, we could certainly call this a heatwave."

He explained that the sunny spell was because of an area of high pressure over the continent bringing warm air over Britain, combined with clear skies.

But this month's glorious sunshine has also brought warnings from the town's officials.

The RSPCA fears the continuing warm weather could spell death for dogs left in cars, in spite of numerous warnings. RSPCA superintendent John Tresidder said: "People go to fetes and visitor attractions and leave their pet in the car, rather than leaving them at home.

"Opening a window and leaving a bowl of water is not enough."

On a sunny day the temperature inside a car can quickly soar to over 49C (120F).

The NSPCC offered a similar warning. Sharon Copsey, NSPCC policy advisor, said: "It makes sense not to leave young children unaccompanied, particularly in hot cars during the summer.

"If they become distressed, there is nobody to help them."

Wiltshire Fire Brigade is urging people to be aware of potential fire hazards.

The brigade's spokesman, station officer Andrew Hargreaves, said: "Ensure barbecues are supervised, and keep aerosols and magnifying glasses out of direct sunlight.

"Take care in the countryside especially with smoking materials."

Swindon Council has issued safety leaflets about barbecuing food, while the Evening Advertiser doctor Peter Swinyard emphasised the need to stay safe in the sun.

He said: "Cover up, stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. The English rose complexion is far more attractive than a sunburned one."

A spokesperson for the Great Western Hospital said that there had been few cases of sunstroke probably because it has been so hot that people have been staying inside.