THE HEATWAVE WINNERS AND LOSERS

Winners: Wasps and mice

Rodent and wasp numbers have rocketed. The heat has caused fruit to ripen much faster than usual, and leftover foods discarded by sunseekers at picnics have provided pests with a veritable feast.

Sex

A survey by Lovehoney revealed July has been the most sex-driven month of the year. The sunshine has raised our serotonin, dopamine and testosterone levels, and we’re embracing that loving feeling.

The landscape

Newly parched grasslands are revealing the remains of historic building imprints across the UK and Ireland.

Vegetarians

Lentils, traditionally grown in India and North Africa, have been thriving in Sheffield after farmers trialled the seeds in the heat.

Losers: Commuters

Buckled train tracks caused disruption and delays, and buses, coaches, carriages and buses became “saunas”.

Formal office wear

TUC general secretary Frances O’grady urged offices to relax rules, and then someone pointed out that shorts and flip-flops had replaced brogues and suits for quite a while now.

Christmas

Some 10,000 pines have already been killed off; the young trees have short roots that struggle to deal with dry ground.

Sleep:

The struggle is real when temperatures are still 20C at night. In many homes pillowcases can be found wrapped in cling film in the freezer. Top tip right there.

Words: Holly Godfrey