BBC News

Animals lap up April sunny spells as temperatures soar

Published
image copyright@CI_Style
image captionBella enjoys a cat nap in the sunshine in Epping, Essex

As the UK continues to bask in the hot weather, it's not just people who are enjoying catching some rays.

From dogs leaping in fields to cats soaking up the sun on loungers, animals are making the most of what is set to be the hottest day in April in decades.

image copyrightJennifer Pimlow
image captionJennifer Pimlow's dog, Frank, has certainly got a boost from the sun
image copyrightWest Midland Safari
image captionWhen dry leaves are simply not enough to quench your thirst
image copyrightMarwell Zoo
image captionWhat are you looking at?
image copyrightKate Beveridge
image captionLoki has found a good spot in Hassocks, West Sussex
image copyrightZoological Society of London/PA Wire
image captionThis squirrel monkey is not sure what to make of its ice lolly
image copyright@RosieGamgeeWard
image captionSix-year-old rescue dog Rosie Gamgee suns herself in County Durham
image copyrightWoburn Safari Park
image captionSiberian tiger siblings Mishka and Milashki take a dip to cool off at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire
image copyrightBCH Police Dogs
image captionHarley from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police Dog Unit cools down on his lunch break
image copyrightPhyl Crawley
image captionMonty plays statues in the shade in Shrewsbury, Shropshire