Records were broken, pensioners received free cooling fans and some schoolchildren only had to attend in the morning as the temperature rose in the borough last week.

The thermometer reached a mercury busting 35.3C, 95.5F, at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew on Wednesday, the highest it has ever reached in July.

On Tuesday, inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the temperature had reached a sweltering 39.6C, 103.3F.

Richard Burke, headteacher of Christ's School on Queen's Road, said he, and the school governors, had decided to run short days because of the weather.

A spokesman for Richmond upon Thames Council said: "Our health and safety unit has issued detailed, practical advice to schools on how to cope with the heatwave.

"This includes suggestions on being flexible with uniforms and ensuring physical activity is carefully planned. Advice is also given on how to spot the symptoms of heat stroke and what action to take."

The council has also been considering the health and safety of some of its oldest residents.

A council spokesman said: "If you know someone, particularly if they are over 75, who is not in the best of health or who doesn't have friends and family who can check up on them, we are asking if residents can check their property is well ventilated and they have plenty of drinks.

"We have been visiting the elderly people we are aware of but there are people in the borough who are vulnerable in this type of heat."