TEMPERATURES in Oxfordshire soared to their highest level so far this year on Wednesday but now a weather warning has been issued for the UK.

The heatwave peaked at 34C at Benson, but at noon yesterday the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for the whole country, due to a band of heavy rain and thunderstorms moving northwards.

It said hail, lightning and gusty winds could cause a “significant disruption”.

But the sunshine so far this week has seen business booming across the county.

Fas Sadiq, owner of Fred’s Discount Store on Cowley Road, said: “I can’t believe it – I’ve sold 200 fans already this week when I normally don’t even sell one in a fortnight.”

Steve Lee, marketing manager at the lido on Abingdon Road, said the pool was packed to capacity by 11am on Wednesday and staff had to operate a one-in, one-out system on the door.

He said: “We can’t exceed our capacity. If we did that and someone was to drown it doesn’t bear thinking about.

“There were queues but the waiting times weren’t ridiculous. I think the maximum waiting time was an hour.”

But those who couldn’t get in won’t be disappointed for long as the pool is expected to open a new grass sunbathing area in two weeks’ time, which will double its capacity.

Mr Lee added: “It was a fantastic day and a lot of fun – and we’re hoping for more to come over the weekend.”

Anddreea Dumitru, 35, from Temple Cowley, who went to Hinksey Pool with her nieces Mara Carasol, six, and Ana Carasol, eight, said: “It was really nice and the water was very warm.

“Sometimes if the water is too cold the children don’t like it but it was great.

“I would say it was too crowded because of the weather but it’s understandable. I had promised them two weeks before that as soon as the weather was hot we would go there.”

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said temperatures were set to drop slightly to 26C today with a risk of rainfall during the evening.

He said the weekend will be pleasant with temperatures reaching a maximum of 24C tomorrow and staying dry, with some rain expected on Sunday.

Mary Spicer captured a lightning storm on camera on Wednesday night from her home in Tackley.