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In Pictures: West basks in bank holiday heatwave

Bea SwallowWest of England
News imageJason Bryant Two young women holding up decorated fans and smiling for a picture at Shindig Festival. They are wearing bejewelled tops and glitter on their face.Jason Bryant
Festivalgoers kept their cool in style, bringing both sparkle and a welcome breeze

Crowds have flocked to beaches, beauty spots and beer gardens across the West, as the region basks in an unexpected burst of summer.

The region has experienced an exceptionally warm late-May bank holiday weekend, with heatwave temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to about 33C (91F).

The intense heat and sunny conditions are forecast to continue throughout Tuesday, with a few scattered showers likely to develop in the afternoon.

A yellow heat-related health alert has also been issued for the south-west of England until Wednesday at 17:00 BST.

Bristol Waste has warned of disruption due to the extreme temperatures impacting mechanisms in its vehicles.

The amount of waste that could be collected would therefore be limited, bosses said.

Residents have also been advised to put their bins out before 05:00 as workers try to avoid the afternoon sun.

News imageSeveral people enjoying the water at Conham River Park on a sunny day. Two people are sitting in an inflatable dinghy, one person is on a stand-up paddle board and two others are sitting on a board, taking a selfie. The brown river is bordered either side by bushes and willow trees, with a couple of quaint boathouses peeking out from the greenery.
Dozens of people drifted down the River Avon, surrounded by drooping willows and quaint boathouses
News imageThe Wave A man holding hands with a young boy as they jump over the ongoing waves which are lapping at the short. In the background, there are lots of other surfers wearing green rash vests, playing in the waves and swimming with body boards.The Wave
Surfers of all ages enjoyed the 22C water temperature at The Wave in Bristol, which is on a par with the Mediterranean Sea
News imageRichMcD/ Good Times Festival Four young women sitting in an oversized deck chair at Good Times Festival. They are posing for a picture, smiling at the camera and showing peace signs.RichMcD/ Good Times Festival
Punters soaked up the sunshine at Good Times festival in Chipping Sodbury
News imageRob Kean Lots of boats floating in Watchet Harbour. It is a bright sunny day and the blue sky is reflected in the still mirrored water.Rob Kean
Boats floating in Watchet Harbour are perfectly mirrored in the glassy water
News imageLongleat A female lion biting at a large frozen red apple which has been suspended from a metal chain inside the zoo enclosure. Longleat
The lions of Longleat have been cooling down with specially made ice lollies as the heatwave settles in at the Wiltshire estate
News imageAbout 40 young people sitting and walking along the grass beside the River Avon in Conham River Park. The sky is clear and blue and the park is surrounded by thick woodland. Everybody is wearing bikinis, shorts or has their top off.
Crowds gathered in Conham River Park for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing
News imageShindig Festival Three children playing with water guns at Shindig festival. The surrounding grass is brown and scorched from the sun. Shindig Festival
Shindig festivalgoers cooled off with a water fight during the scorching event
News imageBradford on Avon Town Council Large crowds of people on a stone bridge overlooking a river. They are emptying white plastic industrial bags, pouring thousands of yellow plastic ducks into the river below.Bradford on Avon Town Council
The Bradford on Avon Duck Race saw thousands of individually sponsored plastic ducks launched into the river earlier
News imagePA Media Spectators seeking shade beneath the trees at the Gloucester cheese rolling event. There is a large crowd of people sitting down on the grass behind an orange plastic barrier, wearing sunglasses, hats and carrying umbrellas.PA Media
Spectators sought shade beneath the trees at Gloucester's annual cheese rolling event

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