Image copyright PA Image caption Sunbathers took to beach deckchairs across the country

Blue skies and hot sunshine have continued into the working week after temperatures peaked at 32C (91F) in London, beating Sunday's hot weather.

Overnight, it was hotter in parts of the UK than it was in Istanbul during the day.

The mercury hit 24C (75C) at midnight at London City Airport - hotter than in the Turkish city where temperatures stayed below 21C (70F).

Temperatures had reached 30.2C (86.36F) in south-west London at the weekend.

Monday's top temperature was recorded at RAF Northolt in west London.

Forecasters have anticipated highs of 33C (91.4F) during the days to come.

Image caption Temperatures are expected to stay high for most of the week

Image copyright Stourbridge Fire Image caption Stourbridge firefighters in the West Midlands keep working "hot dogs" cool with hosepipes

In the West Midlands, working dogs at Stourbridge fire station needed to cool down.

Firefighters tweeted pictures of the dogs jumping for water from hosepipes and wrote: "@WestMidsFire even the fire dogs feeling the heat @Stourbridgefire white Watch"

Image copyright PA Image caption Bathers flocked to the beach in Bournemouth

Image copyright PA Image caption And soaked up the sun in Brighton

In Lancashire, roads were seen melting in the high temperatures.

The Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Community Group wrote on Facebook: "If your [sic] thinking of avoiding Hesketh Lane I would think twice about using Taylors Meanygate unless you want tar all over your car. The road has melted."

Surrey Police said there had also been an incident of a road melting in Guildford, where spilt oil had "melted into the tarmac due to the heat".

Image copyright Ian Torley Image caption Tyres made imprints in melting tarmac in Tarleton, Lancashire

BBC Weather Watchers captured the skies at sunset on Sunday, and as Worcestershire woke to glorious blue skies on Monday.

Image copyright Toppo Image caption Weather watcher Toppo captured a dramatic skyline at sunset on Sunday in Doddenham, Worcestershire

Image copyright Weather watcher J at Severn Ridge Image caption The country woke to brilliant blue skies in Severn Stoke on Monday as temperatures climbed

The high temperatures have been attributed to warm air originating from the tropical Atlantic.

In some spots, the strength of the UV has been recorded as being as high as that in Cyprus and Gibraltar.

Image copyright Weather watcher Ice Queen Image caption Weather watcher Ice Queen photographed Bridgnorth in Shropshire - but with a noticeable lack of ice on the river

And BBC Sussex took its Big Bus Tour to seaside resort Bognor Regis.

Image caption BBC Sussex was out in Bognor Regis

Image caption Some people were feeling the effects of a weekend on the beach

Image caption There was a cool breeze to be found by the coast - but not from the weather

Image caption BBC Sussex carried out interviews in the sea

The Met Office said the first half of the week would see temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s for many across England and Wales, but there was some cloud and drizzle to the far north of Scotland.

Image copyright PA Image caption It wasn't too hot to roller skate in Hyde Park

Image copyright PA Image caption Temperatures were set to reach the low 30s

Temperatures are expected to return nearer to average over eastern parts of the UK on Tuesday, but the fine, very warm and sometimes humid conditions in the south will continue until Thursday.

Image copyright PA Image caption People stayed cool in punts on Cambridge's River Cam

Image copyright PA Image caption Health advice was issued for children and older people

The Met Office has issued a level three amber heatwave warning from Monday to Thursday, "meaning there is a 90% probability of heatwave conditions", according to its website.

It means health and social workers should ensure high risk groups, including the elderly, children and those with medical conditions, are kept cool and hydrated.

Public Health England has also issued hot weather advice, with people urged to keep an eye on older people and young children as well as those at risk with heart and lung conditions.

Tips include to:

Close curtains to keep indoor spaces cooler

Drink plenty of water

Walk in the shade

Apply sunscreen and wear a hat

Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day

Carry water when travelling

People are also urged not to leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, particularly young children and animals.