UK weather: Britain hits the beaches and lakes for respite from heatwave as roads begin to MELT Britain scorching in temperatures hotter than Rio de Janeiro - and the heatwave is set to continue into August Highs of up to 27C in the north and up to 29C in the south with plenty of sunshine expected for next few days Today's high expected to be 27C in Bude, Cornwall, as the South West experiences the best of the weather Commuter route in Greater Manchester closed after bridge expanded in the summer heat and jammed open Roads in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, were badly affected as they started to melt and sand had to be put down Forget the ice creams - the temperatures have now soared so much during Britain's heatwave that even the roads started to melt today. Streets in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, were badly affected as the sun caused tar to liquefy, and authorities were forced to put sand on damaged surfaces. Britain has been scorching in temperatures hotter than Rio de Janeiro in Brazil - and the heatwave is set to continue into August, forecasters said. We can expect plenty of sunshine in the next few days with highs of 29C, which is warmer than Rio where the mercury is only expected to top 27C. Today's high in Britain was expected to be 27C in Bude, Cornwall, as the South West experienced the best of the warm weather across the UK. Splashing about: Students Paula Brosowska (left) and Daisy George, both 19, from Coventry, and Katie Guy (right), five, cool on in the water at Bournemouth beach today All smiles: Nicola Sowinska, three, keeps her cool on Bournemouth Beach today, as forecasters predicted the heatwave will last over the weekend Flat out: A woman enjoys sunbathing on a sunny morning at Victoria Park in east London, after temperatures soared this week across the UK Glorious weather: A young woman enjoyed the hot conditions at St James's Park in central London as the heatwave experienced by Britain continued today Sunbathing: St James's Park in central London was busy again today as the heatwave continued and people tried to make the most of the warm weather Relaxing: A woman lies on a thin rug and enjoys a paperback book in the hot weather at St James's Park in central London as the heatwave continues Beautiful sight: Commuters cross London Bridge in central London on the way to work this morning as the Shard building can be seen in the background What a morning: Commuters cross London Bridge (left) on the way to work while a runner jogs along the River Thames (right) with Tower Bridge in the background Three-day forecast: We can expect plenty of sunshine in the next few days with highs of 29C, which is warmer than Rio where the mercury is only expected to top 27C The hot weather here is also on par with Spain, Portugal and France. Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland said: "There should be plenty of sunshine around in the next few days for most areas, with highs of up to 27C in the north and 29C in the south. On Friday we could see a bit of cloud around and in the north and north west there could be a few spots of drizzle but apart from that it looks like another fine week. On Saturday there is a chance of thunderstorms in the east but forecasters say there is only a low risk. Miss Holland continued: "For most people it will be another dry and sunny week." The Met Office's 30 day forecast shows the warm weather is set to continue into the first week of August. Miss Holland said: "Early indications are that generally dry and settled weather could continue across some parts of the UK for a time, most likely in the south. It's a beautiful day: People punt on the River Cherwell past Magdalen College Tower in Oxford, as the country basks in the warmth of summer Making a splash: The sunshine attracted people to play in a river in Chester, Cheshire, as the whole of Britain enjoyed another beautiful day of warm weather Under cover: This tortoise in Southampton, Hampshire, looks for shade to control his body temperature, during the warm spell the UK is experiencing Different picture: Very low water levels were seen today (pictured) at Dovestone Resevoir in Greenfield, Greater Manchester, compared to the same day last year Deeper: This is how the Dovestone Reservoir appeared on July 10 2012 - at a much higher level than today. The year 2012 was the second wettest on record for England Impressive: The Football Association is unveiling this huge maze near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, after farmers cut an image of the famous Three Lions badge Hosed down: The Barton Bridge near Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, was stuck open yesterday after heat caused the metal frame to expand whilst it was opened Not closing: The metal on Barton Bridge, near Trafford Park, swelled up in the afternoon sun and by rush hour its two halves would not fit together Too hot: Firemen look at the edge of the swing bridge where it meets the road (left) and expanded. Later, they cleared hoses (right) and were able to reopen the bridge This implies below average rainfall and mainly above average temperatures and above average sunshine amounts. However, further north it will be more unsettled and these conditions are likely to spread across the UK later in the month and into August. The sunny weather has made sales of paddling pools and water pistols soar as the nation tries to keep cool. Generally dry and settled weather could continue across some parts of the UK for a time, most likely in the south Sarah Holland, Met Office forecaster Sainsbury's reported selling tens of thousands over the weekend. While on Saturday they sold a record 85,000 bags of ice. Ice cream sales were up 130 per cent and supermarket figures show they sold 1.85millon packs of burgers and 250 bags of salad a minute as people enjoyed the weather. Meanwhile, a busy commuter route in Greater Manchester was closed yesterday after a bridge expanded in the summer heat and jammed open. The metal on Barton Bridge, near Trafford Park, swelled up in the afternoon sun and by rush hour its two halves wouldn't fit together. Firefighters were called and hosed down the bridge with cold water for more than an hour before it had cooled enough to close.